Top Three New Zealand Bowlers with Most Wickets in T20 World Cup History

New Zealand have long been regarded as one of the most consistent teams in the history of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. While they may not frequently appear among the tournament’s title winners, the Black Caps have earned a reputation for challenging every opponent and regularly punching above their weight on the global stage. The T20 World Cup 2026, currently underway from February 7 to March 8, is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

New Zealand have been placed in Group D, alongside Afghanistan, South Africa, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. While their batting has often drawn attention over the years, the Kiwis’ bowling unit remains their biggest strength in this edition. Led by Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Jacob Duffy, the attack offers a strong mix of pace, swing, and spin. New Zealand began their campaign on a positive note with a convincing victory over Afghanistan and will be eager to carry that momentum forward as the group stage progresses.

Also check: South Africa T20 World Cup Records: Top Three Run-Scorers of All Time

Here is a look at the top three wicket-takers for New Zealand in T20 World Cup history:

Tim Southee

Tim Southee burst onto the international scene in dramatic fashion. At just 19 years of age, with only one T20I appearance behind him and fresh off a Player-of-the-Tournament performance at the 2008 Under-19 World Cup, he was handed his Test debut against England in Napier. Over the next decade, Southee developed into one of the finest new-ball bowlers in world cricket.

Southee’s leadership qualities were also recognised when he was appointed New Zealand’s Test captain in 2022, following Kane Williamson’s decision to step down. He had earlier served as a stand-in captain in T20Is in 2017 and ODIs in 2018. Despite falling out of favour in the ODI setup later in his career, Southee remained a key figure in T20 cricket. Across 126 T20Is, he has claimed 164 wickets, while in 25 T20 World Cup matches, he has taken 36 wickets.

Trent Boult

A left-arm fast bowler with the ability to swing the ball both ways, Trent Boult has been a constant threat to batters across conditions. His journey, however, was not without setbacks. A stress fracture in 2009 sidelined him for nearly two years, forcing him to focus heavily on strength and conditioning. By 2015, Boult had transformed into a fast bowler capable of bowling long, high-intensity spells at speeds exceeding 140 kmph.

Although he initially struggled to break into the limited-overs side due to perceptions about his white-ball effectiveness, Boult eventually became one of New Zealand’s most irreplaceable players. In T20 World Cups, he has been particularly effective, taking 34 wickets in just 18 matches.

Ish Sodhi

Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, who is of Indian origin, moved to Auckland as a teenager in pursuit of a professional cricket career with New Zealand. Over time, he emerged as the country’s most prolific T20I spinner. While he made his Test debut in Bangladesh in 2013 and enjoyed moderate success in red-ball cricket, it is in T20Is that Sodhi truly flourished.

Sodhi played a crucial role in the 2016 T20 World Cup, picking up 10 wickets in five matches at an average of just 12, as New Zealand reached the semi-finals yet again. In his T20I career, Sodhi has taken 162 wickets in 137 matches, while in 18 T20 World Cup games, he has claimed 27 wickets.

New Zealand squad for T20 World Cup 2026:

Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi

New Zealand schedule for T20 World Cup 2026:

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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