Top 5 wicket-takers in ODIs between 2011 and 2015 World Cups

#1 Lasith Malinga - 144 wickets

Lasith Malinga was much fitter and a lot quicker back then

Between the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, no specialist bowler played more matches or picked up more wickets than Lasith Malinga. From 93 ODIs, the fast bowler picked up 144 wickets at an average of 27.95 and economy-rate of 5.45. More pertinently, he procured as many as five five wicket-hauls during the four-year phase. Unlike in recent times wherein his form as well as fitness have deteriorated, he was at the top of his game back then and Sri Lanka's bowling plans largely revolved around him.

Extra Cover: Watch - Lasith Malinga turns into off-spinner in domestic match; picks up three wickets

Apart from moving the new-ball, Malinga was also used in the middle-overs to obtain essential breakthroughs. The right-arm seamer really came into his own during the death overs. With batsmen looking to up the ante, his precise yorkers and clever changes in pace helped him emerge on top on the vast majority of occasions. He was instrumental in Sri Lanka winning the 2014 Asia Cup as well as a bilateral ODI series on English shores.