Spin bowling is a lot more about skill than power. While pacers have been always seen as the frontline bowlers across the world for a long time, spinners have been able to establish their identities with the impact they have had on the game. Spinners are known as partnership breakers and they control the game during the middle overs. The world cricket has seen some great spinners who have changed the course of the game with their legendary skills. The mystery bowlers despite their slower pace trouble the batsmen due to the turn and flight they use to deceive the opponent. Spin bowling can be classified into four categories that are: off-spin, left-arm orthodox spin, leg break, and left-arm unorthodox spin. In terms of movement and control spinners are divided into two categories, i.e. wrist spinner and finger spinner. Based on records, wickets, and class, we have compiled a list of the top 6 spin bowlers of all time.
6. Harbhajan Singh: Harbhajan Singh, who is also known as the Turbantor, plays for India and Mumbai Indians. The Right-arm off-break bowler has the second-highest number of Test wickets taken by an off-spinner. Bhajji is also the only Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket. Harbhajan Singh has taken 413 wickets in 186 innings out of 101 Test matches. The cricketer from Punjab has been actively playing for his team from 1998 to 2013. Bhajji’s best bowling figures in an inning of a Test match is 8/84. His best bowling figure in a match is 15/217.
The Indian spinner has a bowling average of 32.37 with an economy rate of 2.83. Bhajjis has taken 5 wickets 25 times and 10 wickets 5 times in a Test match. Bhajji has had an equally spectacular ODI career where he took 259 wickets in 229 ODI matches played between 1998 and 2011. Bhajjis has taken 5 wickets in a match thrice with the best bowling figure of 5/31. He has a bowling average of 33.40 with an economy of 4.30.
5. Daniel Vettori: New Zealand is known for its swift pacers who can bowl at a pace of over 150 km/h. However, Daniel Vettori is an exception. The KIWI spinner has troubled several top batsmen across the world with his mysterious deliveries. The left-arm orthodox bowler has taken 362 Test wickets in 113 matches with an average of 34.36 at an economy rate of 2.59. Vettori has taken 5 wickets 20 times and 10 wickets 3 times. His best bowling figure in the Test match is 8/87. Vettori has led his side to many victories while captaining the side between 2007 and 2011. Vettori has bagged 296 wickets in 289 ODI matches he played between 1997 and 2015. He has also taken 5 wickets in a match two times and his best bowling figures are 5/7. Vettori has an average of 31.90 and an economy rate of 4.11.
4. Saqlain Mushtaq: Saqlain Mushtaq is the only Pakistani spinner on the list. The former Right-arm off-Break bowler is also known for inventing “doosra”. He has several records to his name including the quickest bowler to reach 100 wickets in ODI cricket. Saqlain has 208 wickets in 86 innings out of 49 Test matches to his name that he has taken with an average of 29.83 at an economy rate of 2.64. His best bowling figures in an inning are 8/164. He has taken 5 wickets 13 times and 10 wickets 3 times. Saqlain took 288 wickets in the 169 ODI matches that he played. His best bowling figures in the format are 5/20.
3. Anil Kumble: The former Right-arm leg-break bowler is the greatest spinner to ever have played for India. Also known as Jumbo, Kumble is the only Indian and the only second player to claim all 10 wickets in an inning of a Test match. He became the fourth Indian player to be inducted in the ICC Hall of Fame. He was one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1996. With 619 wickets in 132 matches, Kumble is the highest wicket-taker for India in test and the third-highest wicket-taker overall. Kumble has taken 5 wickets in a match 35 times in his career and 10 wickets 8 times in his Test career. Jumbo has had an equally spectacular One Day career and he took 337 wickets in 271 matches at an average of 30.89 and an economy rate of 4.30. He has taken 5 wickets in a match two times in ODI cricket. His best bowling figures in the format are 6/12.
2. Shane Warne: The legendary Right-arm leg break bowler is one of the greatest spinners whose contests with legendary batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Brian Lara are famous across all the cricket fans. The retired spinner was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1994. He took a whopping 708 wickets in 273 innings of 145 Test matches at an average of 25.41 and an economy rate of 2.65. Warne has taken 5 wickets in a match 37 times and 10 wickets in a match 10 times. The legendary spinner’s best bowling figures in a Test match are 8/71. Kumble has taken 293 wickets in 194 ODI wickets at an average of 25.73 with an economy rate of 4.25. His best bowling figures in the format are 5/33.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan: The Sri Lankan great is the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket. The retired Right-arm Off-break bowler is one of the most difficult bowlers to read and his magical wrist has helped him take 800 wickets in 230 innings of 113 Test matches with an average of 22.72 at an economy rate of 2.47. Muralitharan has taken 5 wickets 67 times and 10 wickets 22 times. His best bowling figures in the match are 9/51. He has the record of being at the top of the ICC Test bowlers list for a record period of 1,711 days. Muralitharan has had an equally amazing One Day career. He has taken 534 wickets in 350 ODI matches at an average of 23.08 at an economy rate of 3.93. He has taken 5 wickets in a match 10 times. His best bowling figures in the format are 7/30.
