FAQ
Q. Who is the first yorker king? A. There is no official 'first' yorker king, but Wasim Akram is widely regarded as the original 'Yorker King' in cricket history.
He mastered reverse swing and deadly yorkers, especially in death overs, making him one of the greatest fast bowlers ever. Modern players like Lasith Malinga are also called “Yorker King” because of their incredible accuracy. Q. Who is the world’s No. 1 fastest bowler? A. The fastest bowler in cricket history is Shoaib Akhtar. He holds the record for the fastest delivery ever bowled: 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) against England in 2003 Q. Who is famous for bowling yorkers? A. Several bowlers are famous for their exceptional yorkers, including: Lasith Malinga – Known as the “Yorker King” Jasprit Bumrah – Master of yorkers in modern cricket Waqar Younis – Legendary for reverse swing yorkers Mitchell Starc – Deadly left-arm yorkers at high speed
In cricket, the yorker is one of the most effective yet difficult deliveries to master. A well-executed yorker can dismantle even the most skilled batters, leaving them with no room to maneuver. Over the years, only a few bowlers have perfected this skill, making them indispensable in their teams, especially in T20 cricket and death overs.
As of 2025, here are the five best yorker bowlers in the world who have consistently delivered under pressure.
1) Jasprit Bumrah (India) – The Yorker King
Career Stats:
International Matches: 204
International Wickets: 443
IPL Matches: 133
IPL Wickets: 165
Current Status: Injured, ruled out of ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Jasprit Bumrah has established himself as the best yorker bowler in modern-day cricket. His ability to consistently bowl toe-crushing yorkers with unorthodox action and high-speed accuracy makes him an absolute nightmare for batters.
Bumrah’s strength lies in his ability to bowl yorkers at different speeds and angles, often surprising batters with his execution. Whether it’s the final overs of a tense IPL match or a crucial moment in an ICC event, Bumrah has repeatedly proven that he can deliver under pressure.
Unfortunately, the Indian speedster is sidelined due to injury and will miss the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, his legacy remains intact, and when fit, he remains the deadliest yorker specialist in world cricket.
2) Matheesha Pathirana (Sri Lanka) – The Malinga Successor
Career Stats:
International Matches: 31
International Wickets: 44
IPL Matches: 20
IPL Wickets: 34
Matheesha Pathirana has earned the nickname "Baby Malinga" due to his uncanny resemblance to Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga. Pathirana has emerged as one of world cricket's most exciting young fast bowlers with his slinging action and high pace.
Pathirana’s biggest strength is his ability to bowl perfect yorkers at will, especially during the death overs. His performance in IPL 2024 for Chennai Super Kings demonstrated his ability to handle high-pressure situations, making him one of the most valuable assets for his franchise and national team.
With time on his side, Pathirana will only get better, and if he continues his current form, he might soon take over as the world’s leading yorker bowler.
3) Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan) – Pakistan’s Left-Arm Destroyer
Career Stats:
International Matches: 170
International Wickets: 343
Shaheen Shah Afridi is known for his ability to swing the new ball, but his most lethal weapon is his yorker. Whether with the new ball or in the death overs, Shaheen can deliver pinpoint yorkers that are nearly impossible to play.
His ball to KL Rahul in the 2021 T20 World Cup remains one of the best deliveries in recent years. Time and again, Shaheen has proved he can execute yorkers consistently, making him a key bowler for Pakistan in all formats.
His ability to combine raw pace with sharp movement makes him a serious threat to any batting lineup. Whether in Tests, ODIs, or T20s, Shaheen’s yorkers have been a game-changer for Pakistan.
4) Mitchell Starc (Australia) – The World Cup Hero
Career Stats:
International Matches: 288
International Wickets: 705
IPL Matches: 41
IPL Wickets: 51
Current Status: Injured, ruled out of ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Mitchell Starc is one of this generation's finest left-arm fast bowlers, and his ability to bowl lethal yorkers at high speeds has won Australia several crucial matches.
His performance in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup is legendary, especially when he dismantled New Zealand’s batting lineup with a stunning six-wicket haul. In the final, he delivered an unplayable yorker to dismiss Brendon McCullum for a duck, setting the tone for Australia’s victory.
Even in the 2019 World Cup, Starc’s deadly yorkers saw him become the tournament’s highest wicket-taker, picking 27 wickets in 10 matches. His famous delivery to Ben Stokes is still considered one of the best yorkers ever bowled.
Though currently injured and out of the Champions Trophy 2025, when fit, Starc remains one of the best Yorker bowlers in the world.
5) T Natarajan (India) – The IPL Yorker Specialist
Career Stats:
International Matches: 7
International Wickets: 13
IPL Matches: 61
IPL Wickets: 67
Current Status: Plays only IPL, overlooked in international selection
T Natarajan may not be a regular feature in international cricket, but when it comes to executing yorkers in the IPL, he is among the very best. His ability to bowl six perfect yorkers in an over is a rare skill that has made him a fan favorite.
Natarajan burst onto the scene in IPL 2020, where he bowled the most Yorkers in the tournament, earning a spot on the Indian team. Though he has been overlooked in international cricket, he remains among the best yorker bowlers in the T20 leagues.
In IPL 2024, he played a crucial role in helping his team reach the finals and was later bought by Delhi Capitals for a massive ₹10.75 crore. His ability to deliver in crunch situations makes him one of the most valuable death-over specialists in the world.
Yorker specialists are rare in cricket, and the ability to bowl them consistently is what sets these bowlers apart. While injuries have sidelined some of them, their impact on world cricket remains undeniable.
Jasprit Bumrah, despite being injured, continues to be the gold standard when it comes to yorkers. Pathirana is quickly emerging as a new yorker specialist, while Shaheen Afridi, Starc, and Natarajan continue to dominate with their accuracy and skill.
Who do you think is the best yorker bowler in the world right now? Let us know in the comments!