Spin bowling has always been a main part of cricket, where the ball surprises batsmen with tricky turns and bounces. However, Leg-spin bowling is arguably the most difficult of the skills. Hence, only a few have mastered this technique.
From Shane Warne’s famous ‘Ball of the century’ to Muttiah Muralitharan’s record-breaking off-spin, the spinner has always amazed cricket fans worldwide. But who is the best spinner in the world?
10. Imran Tahir
Imran Tahir is one of the top limited-overs bowlers in South Africa, and he is known for his sharp leg spins.
He took 173 wickets in ODIs, making him one of the most successful leg spinners in the format. Although his test career was brief, he took 57 wickets.
The right-arm leg spinner had a major impact on ODIs and T20I, playing an important role in South Africa’s success.
| Format | Matches Played | Wickets Taken |
| Test | 20 | 57 |
| ODI | 107 | 173 |
| T20I | 38 | 63 |
SUGGESTED READ: Most Hundreds in ODI World Cup
9. Abdul Qadir
In 13 years of the leg-spinner’s career, Abdul took 236 wickets in Tests and 132 wickets in ODIs, playing 171 matches across both formats. He was mainly known for his deadly googly wrist spin, standing out in an era dominated by fast bowlers.
Qadir was the first true match-winning spinner in One Day cricket, taking 100 ODI wickets in just 69 matches. His impact on Pakistan’s success in World Cups and his role in the team’s victories left a lasting mark on cricket.
| Format | Matches Played | Wickets |
| Test | 67 | 236 |
| ODI | 104 | 132 |
8. Daniel Vettori
Daniel Vettori was a slow left-arm orthodox spinner and New Zealand’s most dependable bowler during his 18-year international career. He didn’t rely on sharp turns but on his accuracy, variations, and ability to bowl long spells.
Vettori was the backbone of New Zealand’s spin attack in both Tests and ODIs, taking 362 wickets in Tests with 20 five-wicket hauls and 305 wickets in ODIs. As an allrounder, he has also scored 4,531 Test runs with 6 centuries.
He was especially effective in the subcontinent, where his control over the ball kept him a constant threat.
| Format | Matches Played | Wickets Taken |
| Tests | 113 | 362 |
| ODIs | 295 | 305 |
| T20Is | 34 | 38 |
7. Graeme Swann
Graeme Swann was the best English right-arm off-break spinner of his time. Nicknamed Chin, he bowled sharply, attacking off-spin with great turn and consistency, especially his drift (sideways movement of the ball in the air)and dip (shorter pitching of the ball with sharper drop at the end) style was a constant threat to the batsman.
He played a key role in helping England become the top-ranked Test team in the early 2010s. Swann always aimed to take wickets rather than just stop runs, which helped him claim 255 Test wickets.
| Format | Matches Played | Wickets Taken |
| Tests | 60 | 255 |
| ODIs | 79 | 104 |
| T20Is | 39 | 51 |
6. Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh, known as the “Turbanator,” was one of India’s best right-arm off-break-spin bowlers for over ten years. He bowled with great accuracy, aggression, and sharp turn, especially on Indian pitches.
He took 417 wickets in Test matches, making him one of India’s top wicket-takers. In ODIs, he picked up 269 wickets and played a big role in India’s victories in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ICC World Cup. He has taken up to 25-wicket hauls with 5 ten-wicket matches.
His high-arm spin, combined with Anil Kumble, formed a strong spin attack, making India dominant at home during the late 2000s and early 2010s.
| Format | Matches Played | Wickets Taken |
| Tests | 103 | 417 |
| ODIs | 236 | 269 |
| T20Is | 28 | 25 |
5. Bill O’Reilly
Bill O’Reilly was a famous and very first majestic leg spinner. He played 27 test matches for Australia between 1932 and 1946. His skill was clear as he took the wicket of famous batsman Walter Hammond out, a total of ten times.
O’Reilly was also known for his fun personality. He had a good sense of humor and once joked to a journalist about Mankading, saying, “Son, I never found a batsman that keen to get to the other end.”
| Format | Matches Played | Wickets |
| Test | 27 | 144 |
| First-Class | 135 | 774 |
4. BS Chandrasekhar
B. S. Chandrasekhar, known as Chandra, was the best leg-spin bowler for India from 1964 to 1979. Despite losing the use of his right arm to polio as a child, he became one of the best spinners in the world. His leg-break spun sharply from right to left, fooling many batsmen.
He also bowled a deadly googly, which spun in the opposite direction, making it hard for batsmen to predict. Chandra was skilled at varying the ball’s flight and length, keeping batsmen guessing.
His control over the ball, especially on Indian pitches, allowed him to get a lot of turns. Chandra’s bowling and determination had a huge impact on Indian cricket during their first series win against England.
| Format | Matches Played | Wickets Taken |
| Test | 58 | 242 |
| ODI | 1 | 3 |
| FC | 246 | 1063 |
3. Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble, the infamous leg spinner, was India’s key player for almost two decades. He was known for his accuracy, consistency, and his famous “flipper” delivery.
Kumble became India’s highest wicket-taker with 619 wickets in Tests and 337 in ODIs. His biggest achievement came in 1999 when he became the second bowler (after Jim Laker) to take 10 wickets in a Test innings against Pakistan in Delhi.
| Format | Matches Played | Wickets Taken |
| Test | 132 | 619 |
| ODI | 271 | 337 |
2. Shane Warne
Shane Warne is one of the best leg spinners in cricket history. He took 708 wickets in Test matches and 293 wickets in ODIs. Warne was famous for his ability to make the ball spin in ways that seemed impossible.
His “Ball of the Century” against Mike Gatting in 1993 is one of the most iconic moments in cricket history. Warne’s attacking approach helped him dominate in both Tests and ODIs, and his impact on the game remains huge.
| Format | Matches Played | Wickets Taken |
| Test | 145 | 708 |
| ODI | 194 | 293 |
| T20s | 73 | 70 |
1. Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan is a top Sri Lankan cricket spinner. He holds the record for the most wickets in Test cricket with 800 wickets. Muralitharan played from 1992 to 2010 and delivered match-winning performances for Sri Lanka.
His unique right-arm off-spin, including the unplayable “doosra,” helped him trick even the best batsmen with 67 five-wicket hauls and 22 ten-wicket hauls. He also took 534 wickets in ODIs, making him one of the best limited-overs bowlers. His skill and ability to bowl in all conditions make him an icon in the world of cricket.
| Format | Matches Played | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Test | 133 | 800 |
| ODI | 350 | 534 |
YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED: Most Catches For ODI World Cup | JeetWin Sports
