Spinners play a vital role in cricket, often changing the outcome of matches. Unlike fast bowlers who rely on speed, spinners use skill and tactics to confuse batters, especially on dull pitches.
Recently, Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted the importance of spin bowlers by taking six wickets and scoring a century in the first Test against Bangladesh. With 37 five-wicket hauls in Test matches, he now ties with Shane Warne’s record, just behind Muttiah Muralitharan’s 67.
This achievement reflects the legacy of the best spinners in cricket history.
Here are the top 10 greatest spinners of all time:
10. Rangana Herath – Sri Lanka
Rangana Herath was one of Sri Lanka’s best spinners and played a key role in the bowling team after Muralitharan retired. As a left-arm orthodox spinner, he took 433 wickets in 93 Tests and 74 wickets in 71 ODIs. Herath was known for his reliability in tough situations, making him one of the greats.
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9. Derek Underwood – England
Derek Underwood, nicknamed “Deadly Derek,” was a talented left-arm orthodox spinner. He bowled well even on flat pitches, taking 297 wickets in 86 Tests. His performance in challenging conditions is impressive.
8. Abdul Qadir – Pakistan
Abdul Qadir was one of Pakistan’s finest leg-spinners, known for his skillful variations like leg-breaks, flippers, and googlies. He took 236 wickets in 67 Tests and 132 in 104 ODIs. His talent was so remarkable that England’s Graham Gooch once said he was better than Shane Warne.
7. Harbhajan Singh – India
Harbhajan Singh, known as the “Turbanator,” is one of India’s most successful spinners. He debuted in 1998 and was vital in India’s historic series win over Australia in 2001. Harbhajan took 417 wickets in 103 Tests, 269 in 236 ODIs, and 25 in 28 T20Is. In the IPL, he claimed 150 wickets in 163 matches.
6. Daniel Vettori – New Zealand
Daniel Vettori, a left-arm orthodox spinner, was known for his accuracy and control. He also captained New Zealand for several years. Vettori took 362 wickets in 113 Tests, 305 in 295 ODIs, and 38 in 34 T20Is, showing his ability to restrict runs while taking wickets.
5. Ravichandran Ashwin – India
Ravichandran Ashwin, one of the greatest modern players, is still active today. As a right-arm off-break bowler, he has been a vital part of India’s bowling attack. Ashwin has taken 522 wickets in 101 Tests, 156 in 116 ODIs, and 72 in 65 T20Is. His skill to adapt to different situations makes him a reliable spinner.
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4. Saqlain Mushtaq – Pakistan
Saqlain Mushtaq, the inventor of the “doosra,” changed the way off-spin bowling was played. He was one of Pakistan’s top bowlers and was quick to reach 100 wickets in ODIs. Saqlain took 288 wickets in 169 ODIs and 208 in 49 Tests, with best figures of 5/20 in ODIs and 8/164 in Tests.
3. Anil Kumble – India
Anil Kumble is often considered India’s greatest spinner. Known for his consistency, he achieved the remarkable feat of taking all 10 wickets in one innings against Pakistan in 1999. Over his nearly 20-year career, Kumble took 619 wickets in 132 Tests and 337 in 271 ODIs, making him one of India’s top match-winners.
2. Muttiah Muralitharan – Sri Lanka
Muttiah Muralitharan is widely seen as the best off-spinner in cricket history. His unique bowling style and ability to spin the ball made him a dangerous bowler for Sri Lanka. Muralitharan holds the record for the most Test wickets, with 800 in 133 matches, along with 534 wickets in 350 ODIs. His influence on the game makes him the most successful spinner ever.
1. Shane Warne – Australia
Many consider Shane Warne the best leg-spinner in cricket history. He debuted in 1992 and often led his team to victory with his powerful right-arm leg-break deliveries. One of his famous moments was when he bowled Mike Gatting with the “Ball of the Century” during the 1993 Ashes series. Warne’s unmatched skill is evident in his 708 wickets from 145 Tests and 293 wickets from 194 ODIs, with best figures of 5/33 in ODIs and 12/128 in Tests.
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