Top 10 Best Spinners in International Cricket

Spin bowling, a crucial aspect of international cricket, began in the 19th century as bowlers sought to outsmart batsmen beyond just speed. Early pioneers like Tom Horan and Wilfred Rhodes set the stage for the best spinners in international cricket. By the 20th century, legends like Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne perfected techniques like the “doosra” and “googly,” securing their spots in cricket history.

Today, spin bowling remains vital in all formats, with the best spinners in international cricket continuing to play key roles. Here’s a look at the top 10 best spinners in International Cricket.

List of 10 Best Spinners in International Cricket

Rank	Player	Country	Matches	Wickets	Best Bowling (Innings)
1	Ravichandran Ashwin	India	285	761	7/59
2	Shakib Al Hasan	Bangladesh	447	712	7/36
3	Ravindra Jadeja	India	347	583	7/42
4	Nathan Lyon	Australia	160	560	8/50
5	Adil Rashid	England	275	384	5/27
6	Rashid Khan	Afghanistan	203	376	7/18
7	Moeen Ali	England	298	366	6/53
8	Kuldeep Yadav	India	159	297	5/17
9	Adam Zampa	Australia	195	288	5/19
10	Wanindu Hasaranga	Sri Lanka	136	216	4/9

1. Ravichandran Ashwin

Best Spinners in International Cricket — *Ravichandran Ashwin*

Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s finest spinners, has stood out in international cricket since his debut in 2010. Known for his tactical bowling and control, he has claimed 761 wickets in 285 matches. Apart from his spin skills, Ashwin is also a reliable middle-order batsman for his domestic team. Though he has shifted focus away from white-ball cricket, he continues to be an essential player in the IPL.

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2. Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan is Bangladesh’s longest-serving cricketer and one of the world’s top spinners. Known for his smart off-spin and solid batting, he has played in multiple T20 World Cups alongside players like Rohit Sharma. Shakib has been a key figure in Bangladesh’s rise, helping them transition from an associate nation to a regular contender in international cricket. With 712 wickets in all formats, Shakib is regarded as one of the best.

3. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja plays a similar role for India as a left-arm spinner and middle-order batsman. Making his white-ball debut in 2009, Jadeja quickly became an important figure. His Test debut followed three years later, and he’s now an integral part of the Indian team. Besides his skillful bowling and steady batting, Jadeja is also one of the best fielders in world cricket, with 583 wickets to his name.

4. Nathan Lyon

Australia struggled to find a reliable spinner after Shane Warne’s retirement until Nathan Lyon emerged. Lyon, known for his accuracy and control, started playing Test cricket in 2011. His ability to bowl consistently with good line and length has made him a top performer, especially in Test matches. With 560 wickets across all formats, Lyon is considered one of Australia’s best spinners.

5. Adil Rashid

Adil Rashid’s rise to prominence took time, as the England Cricket Board initially overlooked him. However, once given a chance, he became a key player for England in all formats, using his sharp leg-spin to take crucial wickets. Rashid made his white-ball debut in 2009, and his Test debut came six years later. Today, he has 384 wickets to his name, ranking among the ICC’s top spinners.

6. Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan became Afghanistan’s global cricket star, with his remarkable leg-spin and googly taking the world by storm. Starting his international career in 2015, Rashid made an instant impact with his ability to spin the ball quickly and deceive batsmen. His performances in T20 leagues like the IPL and Big Bash League have made him one of the most sought-after bowlers in the world. Rashid has 376 wickets in his career.

7. Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali, another England spinner of South Asian heritage, made his Test debut in 2014. Over time, Moeen has showcased his versatility and skill, making him a strong option in all formats. Apart from his bowling, he is known for his powerful batting, especially under the leadership of MS Dhoni in the IPL. Moeen Ali has taken 366 wickets across various formats.

8. Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav, one of the best spinners in international cricket, made his Test debut in 2018, impressing with his performance against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite some ups and downs, he bounced back in 2023 and played a key role in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory. With 297 wickets across all formats, Kuldeep remains one of the best spinners in international cricket.

9. Adam Zampa

Adam Zampa, one of the best spinners in international cricket, made his debut in 2016. Since then, he has become a key figure for Australia in white-ball formats, particularly in ODIs and T20Is. Zampa’s clever spin bowling and knack for taking crucial wickets have cemented his status among the best spinners in international cricket. Although his Test debut came later, he has now claimed 288 wickets across all formats, showcasing his consistency and skill.

Known for his ability to perform under pressure, Zampa is regarded as one of the top spinners in international cricket. His impressive tally of wickets speaks to his adaptability and effectiveness in all conditions, reinforcing his reputation as a key asset for Australia.

10. Wanindu Hasaranga

Wanindu Hasaranga from Sri Lanka has quickly made his mark in world cricket, emerging as one of the best spinners in international cricket. After his T20I debut in 2019, Hasaranga showed great promise, and despite delays in his ODI and Test debuts due to the pandemic, he soon proved his skill on the international stage. Known for his exceptional 4/9 performance in T20Is, Hasaranga continues to impress as one of the best spinners in international cricket. With 216 wickets in 136 matches, he has firmly established himself among the best spinners in international cricket.

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