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Top 10 Spinners In Cricket History

Spinners are a crucial part of cricket, adding a strategic layer to the game. Unlike fast bowlers who rely on speed, spin bowlers use guile and precision to deceive batsmen. Spinners can make it turn sharply upon pitching, creating uncertainty and challenging the batsman’s technique. This unpredictability often leads to wickets, especially on worn or dry pitches that offer more turn. This article talks about some of the best spinners in the world.

Who Are The Top 10 Spinners Of All Time?

Shane Warne (Australia)

Credit: Reuters

The Australian cricketer Shane Warne was a magician who changed the whole outlook of spin bowling. Born in 1969, Warne was a wicket-taker throughout his cricketing career, netting up 708 Test wickets and from 1992 to 2007, an achievement few can match even today. Shane Warne was known for his googly, flipper, and sharp leg break. Batsmen were always left mystified by his control over the spin.

Warne’s “Ball of the Century” remains iconic to this day. That delivery was pure art and showed to the world why he wasn’t just a numbers cricketer. He inspired and will continue to inspire generations of spinners to come around the globe. His legacy as the greatest spinner of all time will surely stay untouched for a very long time.

Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)

On this day in 2010, Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan retired from the longest format of the game, finishing with 800 Test wickets 🙌 pic.twitter.com/xw17urNuKc

— ICC (@ICC) July 22, 2022

The Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan is one of the best spin bowlers in the history of cricket. The spinner played from 1992 to 2010 and managed to accumulate 800 test wickets in his career, a record which remains unbroken to date. With a unique style and superb delivery skills, which was his hallmark, Muralitharan bamboozled several batters with his off-spin and doosra about the globe.

Muralitharan is the first wrist-spinning off-spinner in the history of the game. He completely changed how spin bowling was looked at. He was also surprisingly accurate and adaptable, making him an exceptionally fierce spinner. Muralitharan has been a role model for many young amateur cricketers across the globe due to his work ethic and love for the sport.

Anil Kumble (India)

Happy Birthday to one of the greatest leg spinners Anil Kumble 🐐🔥

He is the 2nd player to dismiss ten batsmen in a test match innings.

He is the fourth highest wicket taker of all time in test cricket history (619 wickets)pic.twitter.com/DbCLgVNthE

— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) October 17, 2023

Anil Kumble, the legendary leg spinner from India, is famous for his great and consistent accuracy. Kumble, who played actively between the years 1990 – 2008, became India’s highest wicket-taker in tests, picking 619 wickets. Kumble, who was popularly known as Jumbo, was a spinner of the leg break googly. He absolutely oozed talent, and it was like watching poetry in motion when he started to bowl.

One of the biggest highlights of his career would be picking up all ten wickets in just one inning against their arch-rivals Pakistan in the year 1999. Kumble’s legacy is not only his achievements. He is regarded as the greatest Indian spinner ever and he will surely continue inspire Indian aspirants for generations to come.

Ravichandran Ashwin (India)

Since his debut in 2010, the famous off-spin bowler of Indian cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin, has had a significant impact on the international cricket scenario. Ashwin, who has picked up 516 test wickets, is considered as one of the best spinners in the world. He has shown variations and tactics of nearly every level throughout his career.

Batsmen across the globe have been extremely bothered by Ashwin’s versatility and creativity, which include the carrom ball and its many subtle variations. Moreover, Ashwin’s contribution to the team can also be seen from his exceptional play in both India and overseas. His pitch work, which Ashwin has done with such zeal, and his intelligence about the game places him among the very best of cricket.

Abdul Qadir (Pakistan)

Credit: The Statesman

One of the leading leg-spinners in the history of Pakistan cricket, the late Abdul Qadir, is known to have revived the sport. He took 236 wickets during his career from 1977 to 1993 as a Test cricketer. Qadir bewildered a number of top-class batsmen with his magical leg breaks, flippers, and googlies.

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His best performance came against England in 1987, when he took nine wickets and conceded fifty-six runs. This will go down as one of the best individual performances in history. Qadir directed and incited a new wave of spin bowlers, including the legendary Shane Warne, with his passion and appreciation for the challenging art of spin bowling.

Harbhajan Singh (India)

An Epic Series Win#OTD in 2001, India beat Australia by 2 wickets in Chennai & won the series 2-1 after being down 0-1.

Harbhajan took 7/133 & 7/84 in test & became First & only Indian to take 4 consecutive 5-fer in Tests (7/123 & 6/73, 7/133 & 7/84).pic.twitter.com/xDF3ZOpgdY

— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) March 22, 2024

Harbhajan Singh is one of the finest off-spinners in India. He played international cricket from 1998 to 2016. The spinner was known for his aggression and sharp spin, picked up 417 wickets in test cricket in his career. This makes him the fourth highest Indian wicket taker in test cricket, behind only Anil Kumble, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Kapil Dev.

In 2001, he had a brilliant run against Australia, taking thirty-two wickets in three matches, including thirteen against them in Kolkata. Harbhajan was an asset to the Indian side not only because of his spin-bowling abilities but also because of his drive and belief, even under pressure. He is revered by many young and upcoming spinners who look up to him and want to emulate his career.

Daniel Vettori (New Zealand)

Happy Birthday Daniel Vettori

Youngest Kiwi to play Test (18 yrs 10 days)
Youngest Spinner to take 100 Test Wickets (21 yrs)
Most ODI Wickets for NZ (297)
Most Test Wickets by Kiwi Spinner (361)
Also scored 6 Test Hundred
ICC Spirit of Cricket Award 2012pic.twitter.com/vzECEnzSF7

— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) January 27, 2024

One of the great left-arm spinners of all time, Daniel Vettori, represented New Zealand from 1997 to 2015. Vettori, who picked up 362 test wickets and is respected for his highly accurate bowling and variations, currently occupies the second position among the all-time wicket-takers from New Zealand. His bowling was a perfect mix of both economical and wicket-taking bowling.

In a test match against Australia in 2000, Vettori rocked the stage with his best of the best by picking up twelve wickets. Vettori was also a decent lower middle-order batsman who contributed heavily not only with his bowling but was also handy with the bat. There is no doubt younger generations of cricketers in New Zealand look up to him and will continue to do so for many years to come.

Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan)

Credit: Cricket Country

Saqlain Mushtaq, an off spinner from Pakistan, is credited with developing a bowling technique called the doosra. His career spanned from 1995 to 2004, during which he picked up 208 test wickets. Saqlain was a threatening bowler since he could baffle batters with his numerous variations. He came very close to picking up ten wickets in the Test Series against India in 1999. In addition to his numbers, Saqlain’s approach to bowling and to spin, in particular, has fiercely influenced a generation of spinners worldwide.

Derek Underwood (England)

English left-arm spinner Derek Underwood is known for his accuracy and exceptional ability on wet surfaces. Nicknamed “Deadly”, Underwood amassed 297 Test wickets in a 16-year career spanning from 1966 to 1982. Underwood was known for his speed, flatness, and ability to take advantage of every turn. He produced a career-best performance against Australia in 1968, taking seven wickets for 50 runs. More than his numbers, Underwood’s ability and confidence have inspired younger generations of spinners and left a lasting legacy in cricket.

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

Credit: ESPNcricinfo

Afghanistan’s cricketing sensation Rashid Khan has fast become one of the best leg-spinners in the world. Rashid made his professional debut in 2015, and since then, he has been known for his incredible dominance, quick wit, and speed. He has been an important member of the Afghanistan national team and many other domestic teams around the world. Rashid’s ability to perform well under pressure is demonstrated by excellent performance, typically in high-stress environments. He is an inspiration not only to other Afghanistan cricketers, but to people around the world.

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