Spin bowling began in the 19th century as bowlers sought to outsmart batsmen beyond speed. With flat pitches in England, pioneers like Tom Horan and Wilfred Rhodes introduced techniques that led to the rise of best spinners.
In the 20th century, styles like off-spin, leg-spin, and chinaman emerged. Legends such as Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne perfected deliveries like the “doosra” and “googly,” becoming the best spinners in cricket history. Today, spin bowling remains crucial in all formats.
Let’s look at the top 10 best spinners who are actively dominating the international cricket scene today.
List of 10 Best Spinners in the World
| Rank | Player | Country | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling (Innings) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ravichandran Ashwin | India | 285 | 761 | 7/59 |
| 2 | Shakib-al-Hasan | Bangladesh | 447 | 712 | 7/36 |
| 3 | Ravindra Jadeja | India | 347 | 583 | 7/42 |
| 4 | Nathan Lyon | Australia | 160 | 560 | 8/50 |
| 5 | Adil Rashid | England | 275 | 384 | 5/27 |
| 6 | Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | 203 | 376 | 7/18 |
| 7 | Moeen Ali | England | 298 | 366 | 6/53 |
| 8 | Kuldeep Yadav | India | 159 | 297 | 5/17 |
| 9 | Adam Zampa | Australia | 195 | 288 | 5/19 |
| 10 | Wanindu Hasaranga | Sri Lanka | 136 | 216 | 4/9 |
1. Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s best spinners, has been a standout in international cricket since his debut in 2010. Known for his smart bowling and control, he has taken 761 wickets in 285 matches. A handy all-rounder, Ashwin also contributes as a middle-order batsman for his domestic team. While his focus has shifted from white-ball cricket, he remains a key performer in the IPL.
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2. Shakib-al-Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan, one of the best spinners in the world, is Bangladesh’s longest-serving player. Known for his clever off-spin bowling and middle-order batting, he has played in the most T20 World Cups alongside Rohit Sharma. The best spinners often play a pivotal role in their teams, and Shakib’s contributions in both white-ball and Test cricket are exceptional.
Starting his career in 2006, Shakib quickly made his mark and was soon included in the Test squad. As one of the best spinners in cricket, he has been a vital part of Bangladesh’s rise from an associate nation to a regular participant in ICC events. With 712 wickets across all formats, he continues to set standards for the best spinners in the game.
3. Ravindra Jadeja
Like Shakib, Ravindra Jadeja has been playing a similar role for India as a left-arm spinner and a middle-order batsman. He made his white-ball debut in 2009 and hasn’t looked back since. Though it took him three more years to join the Test team, he eventually became a key player for India. Along with his disciplined bowling and steady batting, Jadeja is also one of the best fielders in world cricket. So far, he has taken 583 wickets.
4. Nathan Lyon
Australia had been searching for a dependable spinner since Shane Warne retired, and they finally found one when Nathan Lyon started playing Test cricket in 2011. Lyon is a clever bowler, known for his steady control, line, and length, which have caused trouble for many batsmen. Although he later played in ODIs in 2012 and T20Is in 2016, Test cricket remains his best format. So far, Lyon has taken 560 wickets across all formats.
5. Adil Rashid
Adil Rashid’s journey to fame took time, as the ECB was slow to notice his talent and give him regular chances. But once he got his opportunity, Rashid became a valuable player for England in all formats, using his sharp leg-spin to take key wickets in the middle overs. Although he made his white-ball debut in 2009, it took six more years for him to play his first Test match. Today, he is one of the higher-ranked players by the ICC, with an impressive 384 wickets in his career.
6. Rashid Khan
Afghanistan needed a star player to become famous worldwide, someone with a great personality and amazing talent. Rashid Khan became that player. The energetic leg-spinner started playing ODI and T20I matches in 2015, impressing everyone with his quick spin bowling and tricky googlies. His skills made him highly sought after in major T20 leagues like the IPL and Big Bash League. Rashid played his first Test match in 2018 and has taken 376 wickets so far.
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7. Moeen Ali
Another England spinner with South Asian roots who has gained popularity is Moeen Ali. Unlike Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali made his Test debut in 2014, and his impressive performances soon led to opportunities in white-ball cricket. Over time, he has shown flexibility and skill, making him a strong bowling option in all formats. Besides his bowling, Moeen is also known as a powerful batsman, especially under MS Dhoni’s leadership with the Chennai Super Kings.
8. Kuldeep Yadav
Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav gained attention during his Test debut in 2018 with his unique chinaman bowling, which confused the Australian batters on Indian pitches in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. However, he struggled with inconsistent performances over time, leading to him losing his place in the team. Kuldeep made a comeback in 2023 and later helped India win the T20 World Cup 2024. Known for taking important wickets, the leg-spinner is a valuable player for any team. He has taken 297 wickets in 157 matches across all formats.
9. Adam Zampa
One of the main reasons Nathan Lyon couldn’t secure a place in Australia’s white-ball team is Adam Zampa. The tall, blonde bowler made his debut in 2016 with his clever spin bowling and good batting skills. Since then, he has continued to impress. Zampa made his debut in ODIs and T20Is in 2016 and later played his first Test match five years after that. He has taken 288 wickets in 195 matches.
10. Wanindu Hasaranga
Wanindu Hasaranga, one of the best spinners from Sri Lanka, has quickly made his mark in world cricket. His T20I debut came in 2019, showcasing his immense talent from the very beginning. Despite the pandemic delaying his ODI and Test debuts by nearly two years, Hasaranga returned to form swiftly, proving his place among the best spinners in international cricket. His best T20I performance, which included an incredible 4/9, remains a highlight of his career. Hasaranga’s success led him to earn an IPL contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore, though injuries kept him sidelined for most of the previous season. Overall, the best spinners category recognizes Hasaranga’s contribution with a remarkable 216 wickets in just 136 matches.
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