The ICC Cricket World Cup is the premier international championship in One Day International (ODI) cricket, organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) every four years.
A key accolade in this tournament is the Golden Ball Award, presented to the bowler who takes the most wickets. This award recognises outstanding bowling performances that significantly impact the competition.
Historically, Australian bowlers have excelled in this domain. Notably, Mitchell Starc is the only player to have won the Golden Ball twice, achieving this feat in both 2015 and 2019. In the 2019 World Cup, he set a record by claiming 27 wickets, the highest in a single tournament.
Other Australian recipients include Glenn McGrath in 2007, Shane Warne in 1999, Craig McDermott in 1987, and Gary Gilmour in 1975. Indian bowlers have also made their mark, with Anil Kumble winning in 1996 and Zaheer Khan in 2011.
These players, among others, are expected to vie for the prestigious Golden Ball in the upcoming tournament.
ICC World Cup Golden Ball Winners List (1975-2025)
Unlike the award for most runs, the most wicket-taker title has often been shared by multiple players, with Australian bowlers leading the list. Only two spinners have ever claimed this honor. Here’s a look at the top wicket-takers in ICC Cricket World Cup history.
Here’s the full list of ICC Golden Ball winners from 1975 to 2025.
| Edition | Golden Ball Winner (Team) | Wickets |
| 1975 | Gary Gilmour (Australia) & Bernard Julien (West Indies) | 11 |
| 1979 | Mike Hendrick (England) | 10 |
| 1983 | Roger Binny (India) | 18 |
| 1987 | Craig McDermott (Australia) | 18 |
| 1992 | Wasim Akram (Pakistan) | 18 |
| 1996 | Anil Kumble (India) | 15 |
| 1999 | Geoff Allott (New Zealand) & Shane Warne (Australia) | 20 |
| 2003 | Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka) | 23 |
| 2007 | Glenn McGrath (Australia) | 26 |
| 2011 | Zaheer Khan (India) & Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) | 21 |
| 2015 | Mitchell Starc (Australia) & Trent Boult (New Zealand) | 22 |
| 2019 | Mitchell Starc (Australia) | 27 |
| 2023 | Mohammed Shami (India) | 24 |
What's Next| Asia Cup Winners List (1984 - 2025)
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