Here are the top 10 best spinners in the world for 2024. These spinners showcase exceptional skill and effectiveness across formats, influencing matches with their spin variations and wicket-taking abilities on various pitches globally.
10. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
At just 25, Rashid Khan has established himself as one of the world’s premier spinners. Renowned for his ability to challenge elite batsmen globally, he holds the record for being the fastest to 100 wickets in both ODI and T20I cricket. His consistent performances across formats and the IPL have positioned him as a future cricket legend.
9. Ravichandran Ashwin (India)
Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s top-ranked Test bowler, is celebrated for his tactical brilliance and impact on India’s success. With 489 Test wickets and notable performances in ODIs, T20Is, and the IPL, Ashwin is a key figure in Indian cricket, recognized for his exceptional skill and sharp cricketing intellect.
8. Daniel Vettori (New Zealand)
Daniel Vettori, a New Zealand cricket legend, was renowned for his slow left-arm orthodox bowling and leadership. As captain from 2007 to 2011, he excelled as an all-rounder, claiming 362 Test wickets and 305 ODI wickets, along with 38 T20I wickets, leaving a significant mark on international cricket.
7. Abdul Qadir (Pakistan)
Abdul Qadir, a legendary Pakistani spinner, was famed for his versatile spin-bowling skills. He claimed 368 Test wickets and 104 ODI wickets. Post-retirement, he served as the Pakistan Cricket Board’s chief selector, contributing significantly to the development of cricket in Pakistan.
6. Harbhajan Singh (India)
Harbhajan Singh, a legendary Indian spinner, claimed 413 Test wickets, 259 in ODIs, and 25 in T20Is. He is the second-highest wicket-taking off-spinner in Test history and the first Indian to take a Test hat-trick. Harbhajan played crucial roles in India’s 2007 T20 and 2011 ODI World Cup triumphs.
5. Graeme Swann (England)
Graeme Swann, a former England off-spinner, played 178 international matches, claiming 410 wickets. Renowned for inventing the “flying saucer ball,” Swann was a key spinner for England and one of their finest in modern cricket. He once remarkably took all 10 wickets in a Test innings, cementing his legacy.
4. Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka)
Rangana Herath, a former Sri Lankan cricketer, was a pivotal left-arm orthodox spinner. Over a 19-year career, he played 93 Tests (433 wickets), 71 ODIs (74 wickets), and 17 T20Is (18 wickets). Herath was renowned for delivering crucial breakthroughs, solidifying his status as one of Sri Lanka’s greatest spinners.
3. Anil Kumble (India)
Anil Kumble, India’s premier spinner, famously claimed all 10 wickets in a Test innings against Pakistan in 1999. He retired with an impressive tally of 619 Test wickets and 337 ODI wickets. Additionally, Kumble played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, where he took 45 wickets, showcasing his exceptional bowling skills.
2. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka’s legendary spinner, holds the record for the most wickets in international cricket, with a remarkable total of 1,347 scalps across all formats. His career includes 800 Test wickets in 133 matches, 534 ODI wickets in 350 games, and 63 IPL wickets in 66 appearances, cementing his status as one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history.
1. Shane Warne (Australia)
Shane Warne, Australia’s greatest spinner, amassed an impressive 1,001 international wickets, including 708 in Tests and 293 in ODIs. He revolutionized spin bowling in a country renowned for its fast bowlers, leaving an indelible mark on the game and inspiring a new generation of spinners worldwide.