Top 4 Indian ODI wicket takers in 2018

Over the years, the Indian bowling attack has been a dominating force in all formats of the game. Following a period of uncertainty, the Indian team has been able to develop their resources which has enabled them to succeed all around the world.

Credit goes to the bowling coach Bharat Arun who has worked extensively with this unit. In 2018, India featured in 20 ODIs, emerging victorious in South Africa, the Asia Cup, and the home series against the West Indies. A dismal England tour was followed up by a brilliant performance at the Asia Cup.

Let's take a look at the top 4 Indian wicket-takers in ODI's this calendar year.

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#4 Ravindra Jadeja

Jadeja will be key to India's performance at the World Cup.

After a series of poor performances in 2017, Jadeja's axing from the ODI squad didn't come as a surprise. The hero of the 2013 Champions Trophy could not replicate the same in the 2017 edition when he claimed just four wickets in five games. He went wicketless in the first 2 ODIs touring the West Indies resulting in him getting dropped from the squad for the remainder of the series..

His poor form continued in the 2018 IPL where he claimed just 11 wickets in 16 matches.

When all hope seemed lost, an injury to Axar Patel during the 2018 Asia Cup led to Jadeja's inclusion in the squad. He came back strongly with seven wickets in just four games at an average of 4.45 including a 4-29 against Bangladesh. He continued by delivering yet again, picking up seven wickets in four games during the home series against the West Indies.

In 2018, Jadeja has taken 14 wickets in 8 games with an average of 24.57 and an economy rate of 4.59.

His form will be a relief for India giving them a chance to pick the best combination before the World Cup.

#3 Jasprit Bumrah

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Bumrah has restored India's fast bowling unit.

Jasprit Bumrah has asserted himself as India's front-line bowler with consistent performances since his debut in 2016. Fierce yorkers and slower balls have been a feature of his game plan. In 2017, Bumrah finished as India's top wicket-taker with 39 scalps in just 23 games.

This year began with the tour to South Africa where he took eight wickets in six matches at an impressive economy rate of 3.97. However, an injury ruled him out of the England tour which exposed India's weak links in their bowling.

He returned in the Asia Cup taking eight wickets in just four games with an economy rate of 3.67 and average of 16. His stellar form continued as he claimed six wickets in three matches of the home leg series against the West Indies with a stunning average of 11.83 and economy rate of 2.97.

His stats in 2018 stand out with 22 wickets in 14 games with an average of 16.63 and an economy rate of 3.62.

Bumrah's growth after every game shows why he is the best death bowler in the business.

#2 Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal has been

impressive

with his composure.

After breaking into the T20I side, Chahal's impressive performances led to his inclusion in the ODI squad ahead of Jadeja and Ashwin. Without backing down, he continued to show maturity in grabbing all opportunities presented to him.

In 2017 he claimed 21 wickets, but what stood out was his accuracy and control.

In the tour to South Africa on flat tracks and fast pitches, Chahal beat all odds by finishing second behind his partner (Kuldeep) in the wicket-takers list with 16 wickets while the fast bowlers struggled.

He could not continue his impressive start as he failed to find his rhythm in England. In the Asia Cup, he bowled with better control and carried that forward in the home series against the West Indies providing ample support to his fellow bowlers.

In 2018, he has taken 29 wickets from 17 matches with an average of 26 and an economy rate of 4.82. He will look to improve in time before the World Cup with the competition that looms around him.

#1 Kuldeep Yadav

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Kuldeep's variations are key to his success.

With India struggling in the spin department, the introduction of Kuldeep in ODIs could not have come at a better time. The left arm chinaman bamboozles batsmen with his subtle variations.

In 2017, he took 22 wickets and still had room for improvement. After an average start, he is turning out to be a lethal weapon for Kohli to use.

This year began extraordinarily with Kuldeep claiming 17 wickets in the tour to South Africa with a stunning average of 13.88. The following England tour saw him claim career-best figures of 6-25 in the first ODI.

Kuldeep went on to display stunning performances in the Asia cup claiming ten wickets at an economy rate of 4.08. In the home series against the West Indies, Kuldeep took nine wickets in just four games hence showing the world that he isn't a one-dimensional bowler.

With outstanding numbers, Kuldeep has finished as the highest wicket-taker for India this calendar year by a significant margin taking 45 wickets from just 19 games with an impressive average of 17.77 and economy rate of 4.64.

Kuldeep is in fine form just in time before the World Cup and will be a player to watch out for.