Top 10 Greatest Spinners in the World of All Time (2025 Ranked)

By: Cricbites | September 13, 2025

Spin bowling is often described as the “art” of cricket. Unlike fast bowlers who rely solely on pace and bounce, spinners deceive batsmen with flight, maneuverability and subtle variations. A great spinner can dance the ball with patience and skill, turning games around. Over the decades, cricket has seen many spin magicians who have confounded batsmen and left an incomparable legacy.

Let’s take a closer look at the top 11 spinners in the world, their styles, their records and their impact on the game.

1. Muttiah Muralitharan

When it comes to spin bowling, the first name that comes to mind is Muttiah Muralitharan. With 800 Test wickets and 534 ODI wickets, he is the highest wicket-taker in cricket history. What made Murali special was his unique wrist bowling that spun even on lifeless pitches.

Apart from the statistics, his greatest quality was consistency. Whether at Gayle, Lord’s or Adelaide, he was always a threat. He also played a key role in putting Sri Lanka on the world cricket map, inspiring an entire generation of cricketers.

2. Shane Warne

Australia’s Shane Warne was not just a bowler; he was a showman. With 708 Test wickets and the unforgettable “Ball of the Century” against Mike Gatting in 1993, Warne revived the fading art of leg-spin. His leg-breaks, googlies and flippers kept batsmen guessing until the last moment.

Warne’s big-match nature set him apart. He thrived under pressure and often produced match-winning spells in Ashes competitions. His charisma and talent made spin bowling fashionable again.

3. Anil Kumble

Known for his accuracy with spin bowling, Anil Kumble was India’s greatest match-winning bowler with 619 Test wickets. Unlike many other leg-spinners, he bowled well and quickly in the air, relying on bounce and relentless pressure.

His most iconic moment came against Pakistan in 1999. At that time, he became the second bowler in history to take all 10 wickets in an innings. Along with his bowling, his leadership and fighting spirit made him one of the most respected figures in Indian cricket.

4. Saqlain Mushtaq

If Warne brought glamour to spin, Saqlain Mushtaq brought innovation. The Pakistani off-spinner is credited with inventing the “Doosra”. This is a ball that spins away from right-arm bowlers, causing batsmen to expect a traditional off-break.

With 208 Test wickets and 288 ODI wickets, Saqlain played a key role in Pakistan’s success in the late 1990s. His tactical genius and ability to beat batsmen changed the way off-spin was viewed.

5. Ravichandran Ashwin

Among modern-day spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin is the flag-bearer. With 537 Test wickets as of 2025, he is one of the fastest bowlers to reach almost every major milestone. Ashwin is truly a true cricket scientist.

From the carrom ball to the slider, Ashwin is constantly adding new weapons to his arsenal. What sets him apart is his adaptability. Whether it is on the turning tracks of India or the bouncy pitches abroad, he finds ways to be effective.

Continue Reading: 15 Most Maiden Overs in Test Cricket By a Bowler (2025)

6. Harbhajan Singh

Known as the “Turbnetter”, Harbhajan Singh was India’s strike spinner in the 2000s. With 417 Test wickets and 269 ODI wickets, he played a vital role in India’s victories at home and abroad.

His defining moment was the series against Australia in 2001, where he took 32 wickets, including India’s first Test hat-trick. Harbhajan’s aggressive approach and ability to take chances even in difficult situations made him a fan favourite.

7. Graeme Swann

England struggled to find great spinners after the 1970s, but Graeme Swann filled the void. With 255 Test wickets in just 60 matches, Swann played a key role in England’s rise to the No. 1 Test ranking in 2011.

His off-spin featured intense drift, dip and control, particularly against left-arm bowlers. Swann was also a key bowler in England’s limited-overs setup, playing a key role in their 2010 T20 World Cup victory.

8. Daniel Vettori

New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori combined precision and calm leadership. With 362 Test wickets and 305 ODI wickets, he was one of the most reliable left-arm orthodox bowlers in the world.

But Vettori went beyond bowling, scoring over 6,000 international runs and becoming a capable batsman as well. His dual skills made him one of the best all-rounders of his era.

9. Saeed Ajmal

For a short but impressive period, Saeed Ajmal was one of the most difficult bowlers to bowl to. In just 35 Tests, he took 178 wickets, and in ODIs, he took 184 wickets. His second and faster bowling made him lethal in all formats.

Ajmal’s golden phase came between 2011-2014, where he consistently troubled even the best batsmen. While his career was later marred by bowling action controversies, his impact during his peak was undeniable.

10. Imran Tahir

South Africa’s Imran Tahir brought energy and spirit to spin bowling. His trademark celebration of running onto the field after taking a wicket was a gesture that eventually became as iconic as his bowling.

Although his Test career was mediocre, Tahir excelled in the limited-overs format, taking 173 ODI wickets and 63 T20I wickets. His aggressive leg-spin was vital for South Africa, especially in the World Cup.

The Next Generation Spin Stars

While these legends have set the bar high, a new crop of spinners is making waves:

Ravi Bishnoi (India): A wrist-spinner with sharp googlies, already impressive in T20s.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan): A mystery spinner with power-play control.
Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka): Known for his wicket-taking leg-spin in T20 cricket.
Adam Zampa (Australia): A consistent performer in ODIs and T20s.
Akeal Hosein (West Indies) – A left-arm spinner with control and variations.

These players show that spin bowling is not just surviving—it’s evolving rapidly with new skills and tactics.

Conclusion

Spin bowling has always been about patience, skill and the ability to deceive batsmen with subtlety rather than brute force. The beauty of spin bowling is that it is constantly evolving. These eleven legends have added something new to the game, be it the doosra, the carrom ball or the art of drift. And with rising stars like Bishnoi and Hasranga, this tradition is set to continue for decades to come.

Cricket would be incomplete without spinners. They are the artists who fill the game with magic, mystery and mastery.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Who holds the record for the most wickets taken by a spinner in Test and ODI cricket?

Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record for taking the most wickets in both Test and ODI cricket. He took 800 wickets in Tests and 534 wickets in ODIs.

Q2. What is the “Ball of the Century”?

“Ball of the Century” refers to the ball bowled by Shane Warne to Mike Gatting during the 1993 Ashes series.

Q3. Which spinner has taken all 10 wickets in a single Test innings?

Only two bowlers in the history of Test cricket have taken all 10 wickets in a single innings. Anil Kumble in 1999 (India) and Ajaz Patel in 2021 (New Zealand).

Q4. What is “Doosra” and who invented it?

“Doosra” is a type of ball bowled by an off-spinner that spins away from the batsman, similar to a leg-break. It was invented in the 1990s by Pakistani spinner (former) Saqlain Mushtaq.

Q5. How have spin bowlers evolved over time?

Spin bowling has evolved from a focus on classical flight to a modern game of deception, variation and mystery.