Top 10 Best Spinners in the World | All Time – Ranked

Bowling in modern-day cricket has been tough, and the best of bowlers have gone for runs, especially in the limited-overs format. However, even in the test, there is not much off-the-pitch movement that the bowlers get. Despite that, there have been bowlers who have given some tough times to the batters, considering their quality, hard work, and dedication towards the game of cricket.

Today, in this article, we dive into some of the best spinners in the world and how they have changed the dynamics of cricket through their spinning brilliance. We rank them as per the ranking factors of consistency, match-winning ability, and impact.

How We Ranked Best Spinners in the World

The ranking has been done based on specific factors to ensure that all the best spinner in the world are evaluated fairly to find out the answer to the question, who is the best spinner in the world of all time?

• Format Specialisation (Test, ODI, T20I, All Formats): Assesses how well a spinner adapts to the demands of each format. Some spinners are dominant in Test cricket due to their ability to bowl long, strategic spells. Others thrive in T20Is or ODIs, where variation, accuracy, and pressure-handling are key. Versatile spinners who perform across all formats are rated higher for their adaptability.

• Total Wickets: The number of wickets is a key ranking factor for the Top 10 best spinner in the world of All Time because it directly reflects their ability to consistently dismiss batters and impact matches throughout their careers.

• Bowling Average (Runs per Wicket): Measures efficiency, how many runs a bowler concedes for each wicket taken. A lower average suggests a spinner is more effective at dismissing batsmen without leaking runs.

• Economy rate: Economy rate is an important factor in evaluating a spinner's performance because it shows how effectively they can limit the scoring rate, build pressure on batters, and maintain control during their spells.
• Best Bowling Figures: Highlights the bowler’s potential to dominate and influence a match. It shows the ability to take multiple wickets in a short span, often turning the course of the game.

Top 10 Spinners in the World - Updated List

The best spinner in the world in cricket history are known for their ability to deceive batters with skilful and intelligent bowling. They use sharp turns, precise control, and new variations to make it hard for batters to predict the movement of the ball. These bowlers adapt to all types of pitches, whether dry, dusty, or hard, and often change the course of a match with their performance. In this article, we tried to answer the question of who is the best spinner in the world?

Who is the Best Spinner in the World Currently?

Rashid Khan is widely regarded as one of the most skilled and adaptable spinners in modern cricket. In just 6 Test matches, he has taken 45 wickets, with an impressive average of 20.4 and an economy rate of 2.96, proving his strength in the longest format. In ODIs, he has picked up 199 wickets across 114 games, boasting an excellent average of 20.4 and keeping runs to a minimum with an economy of 4.24. His impact in T20 Internationals is equally strong, having taken 161 wickets in 96 matches, with an unreal average of 13.8 and an astonishing economy rate of 6.08.

10. Saqlin Mushtaq | Pakistan | 208 Test Wickets

Saqlin Mushtaq is probably the greatest spinner in Pakistan cricket. He was the inventor of the doosra during the 1990s. He created a horror with this variation among the batters. Saqlin in his prime was unplayable and picked numerous wickets for Pakistan and was a key player in the 1992 World Cup victory for the side as well.

The right-arm off-spinner took 208 Test wickets and 288 ODI wickets. However, his doosra provided a new dimension to the off-spinners. His bowling performance against India in India in 1999 was mesmerising. He picked up 24 wickets in that test series against the Men in Blue and created a statement for the spinners in that era, he was the fastest bowler to 100 one-day wickets.

9. Graeme Swann | England | 255 Test Wickets

Graeme Swann has been an absolute legend for English cricket. He was one of the finest spinners for the Three Lions. Despite England's swinging conditions, he used to get turn and bounce on the dry wickets of England. This is the reason he is part of the top 10 best spinner in the world. Swann made his debut back in 2000 against South Africa.

The right-arm off-spinner was a key member of England's 2012 tour to India. As England beat the Men in Blue at home for the first time in 8 years. He, along with Monty Panesar, created a web for the Indian batters, as they had no answer to their spin duo. The English off-spinner ended his career after playing 178 matches for the side across formats and picking up 410 wickets. This lines him up as one of the best spinners in the world.

8. Daniel Vettori | New Zealand | 362 Test Wickets

Daniel Vettori has been one of the best spinners in world cricket. The Kiwi cricketer was their best spinner of all time. He was the captain of the side for several years. Vettori has been known for his accuracy, variations, and all-around abilities. He was also a good lower-order batter for the side. He also excelled playing in various T20 leagues around the world. He has been a successful coach for the Australian side and the IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Vettori has played nearly 18 years of international cricket. He retired in 2015 with a sensational record of 362 Test wickets, including 20 five-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket matches. He also picked 305 wickets for the Black Caps in 295 ODI appearances. This lists him as one of the best spinners in the world.

7. Harbhajan Singh | India | 417 Test Wickets

Harbhajan Singh is one of the finest spinners in the world. His off-spin bowling has helped the Indian team to win numerous matches from a difficult situation. Harbhajan has been a key figure in Indian cricket for many years for his aggressive bowling approach. The right-arm off-spinner had sharp turn and bounce, combined with a clever understanding of the game, which made him part of the top 10 spinners in the world of all time

His career has been superb, he has played a total of 367 matches for the Indian team across all formats, in which he has taken 711 wickets. Bhajji has also taken 25 five-wicket hauls in his career.

6. Rangana Herath | Sri Lanka | 433 Test Wickets

Rangana Herath has been one of the finest left-arm spinners in the world. His name comes among the top 10 spinners in the world, also he has been the second-best spinner after Muttiah Muralidaran for Sri Lanka. He carried on the Sri Lankan spin bowling tradition. His subtle variations, amazing accuracy, and ability to capitalise on spin-friendly conditions made him a terror for batsmen.

Herath's 433 Test wickets and multiple match-winning games cemented his spot on this elite list. Herath is the only left-arm spinner to pick 400+ wickets in the traditional format of the game. He is the oldest player to reach 350 as well as 400 Test wickets and the second Sri Lanka bowler to pick 400 Test wickets.

5. Ravichandran Ashwin | India | 537 Test Wickets

Ashwin has had success in SENA countries as well. He has taken 527 Test wickets, with 37 five-wicket hauls and 8 ten-wicket matches. He is the fastest to reach 250, 300, and 350 Test wickets. He is the second Indian spinner after Anil Kumble to pick 500 wickets in the traditional format of the game. The spinner also won the ODI World Cup 2011 with India.

4. Nathan Lyon | Australia | 553* Test Wickets

Nathan Lyon is one of the best off spinner in the world of modern-day cricket. His ability to turn and bounce the ball in Australian conditions makes him a great spinner. It is one of the toughest countries to bowl in for the spinner, and to become a spinner in Australia takes a lot of courage. He is the first off-spinner to pick 500 Test wickets.

Lyon has etched his name in the history books of Australian cricket. He is the second Australian spinner to pick 500+ wickets in the longest format of the game. In 2017, he claimed 63 wickets in Tests, many of which came in the Asian contingent. This helped him to be on the list of the best spinners in the world.

3. Anil Kumble | India | 619 Test Wickets

India has been he home of producing some of the greatest spinners in world cricket. It is difficult to pick the best spinners among them. However, Anil Kumble has been one of the finest leg-spinners for the Men in Blue. He is the only Indian spinner to pick 10 wickets in an innings and the second bowler after Jim Laker to achieve this milestone. The right-arm leg spinner did not turn the ball like other spinners, but he was brilliant with his accuracy and pace.

‘Jumbo,’ as called by his teammates, is the highest wicket-taker for India in Test match cricket; he has picked 619 wickets for the side. This makes him the best leg spinner in the world after Shane Warne. This ranks him among the best spinners in the world.

2. Shane Warne | Australia | 708 Test Wickets

Shane Warne is known as the best leg spinner in the world of all time. The right-arm leg spinner was the first player to pick 700 test wickets. He revolutionised cricket thinking with his mastery of leg spin. He played cricket for nearly 15 years for the Kangaroos and was featured in 145 test matches for the 6-time ODI World Cup winners. His ball against Mike Gatting, which turned from the leg stump to clip the top of the off stump, was regarded as the ball of the century. He is among the best spinner in the world.

Warne has the record for picking the most wickets in a calendar year. He picked 96 wickets in 2005 and surpassed the great Dennis Lillee's record. In his career, he picked up 708 test wickets and 293 ODI wickets. Warne created horror in the batter's head during his prime days, he also led the Rajasthan Royals to their only IPL title.

1. Muthiah Muralidaran | Sri Lanka | 800 Test Wickets

Muthiah Muralidaran is the best spinner in the world of all time. He has been the greatest ever bowler for Sri Lanka and led the side to many match-winning performances. He broke the record of Shane Warne's 708 wickets in test matches in 2007 to become the highest wicket-taker in the traditional format of the game.

Muttiah Muralitharan held the number one spot in the International Cricket Council's player rankings for Test bowlers for a record period of 1,711 days spanning 214 Test matches. The right-arm off-spinner picked 800 wickets in the toughest format of the game and mastered the doosra, which helped him to dismiss the greatest batters of his generation. This is the reason he ranks as best spinner in the world.

Who is the Best Off-Spinner in the World of All Time?

Muttiah Muralidaran is the best off-spinner in the world of all time. Representing Sri Lanka from 1992 to 2011, he holds the record for the highest number of wickets in Test matches, with 800 wickets to his name. He also took 534 wickets in ODIs and 13 in T20Is, giving him a total of 1,347 international wickets. Famous for his distinctive bowling style and exceptional spin, Muralitharan combined pinpoint accuracy with clever variations, making him very difficult for batsmen to face. His 67 five-wicket hauls in Tests highlight his ability to change the course of a game on his own.

In test cricket in the subcontinent, the spinners get some value as the ball turns and grips in the traditional format. India has dominated their home soil over the years with spin tracks. Even the greatest spinners had tough times. There are tracks in limited-overs format that have grip and turn, with the spinners getting assistance from the wickets.