Picture Credit: X
The best spinners of the world is a list that comprises some absorbing, absolutely brilliant and unabashedly talented spinners from around the world. And what's interesting is that while there are always multiple talents from different countries, we have picked some names from the international game without whom cricket in its current shape and form, cannot be imagined. Make no mistake but much like how the game desires its batters to shape up record books and change contests by virtue of sublime talent, the best spinners in the world also add a level of gravitas and competitiveness without which the sport would seem incomplete. Wouldn't you agree? Spinners give an element of thrill, without which it would seem a touch insipid. Having said that, let us visit some names that definitely feature in the list, if we were to make one, comprising the best spinners in the world.
Here is a list of best spinners in the world among active Cricketers:
Adam Zampa (Australia)
What makes a spinner unique is not just his ability to take wickets during crucial intervals of the game, but also keep up the level of pressure in a contest and Adam Zampa with his unprecedented talent and unputdownable ability of taking big wickets in interesting moments of the game must find a mention in any list, made anywhere, whether by fans or analysts, when it comes to the best spinners in the world.
The Aussie has always troubled big scoring batters whether one speaks of Jos Buttler, or Rohit Sharma or even the great Virat Kohli. And thus far, the man considered Australia's leading white-ball spinner has claimed 187 ODI wickets from just 111 games and 117 T20I wickets from just 95 contests. He can flight the ball and generate awesome amout of turn, often varying his pace that at the end of the day, tends to catch batters by surprise.
Aren't these the hallmarks of a wonderful spinner? Surely, even the great Warne, had he been with us, would have tipped his hat to his countryman, also a leg break specialist!
Adil Rashid (England)
From taking a 6-for in his debut game back in 2006 for Yorkshire against Warwickshire to his 5 for 27 in One-Day Interantionals, Adil Rashid has come a long way, spun a long distance and proven himself to be a craftsman who's difficult to be put away by even the best batters in the world. He features undoubtedly in the list of the best spinners in the world by some distance. And that art of keeping it simple and to always focus hard for England, for whom he's clinched 224 ODI, 135 T20I, and 60 Test wickets ascertains his supremacy in all formats of the game.
A veteran spinner, Rashid is as difficult to pick as he is hard to score off in different formats of the game.
Kuldeep Yadav (India)
The taker of not one, but two hat-tricks in One-Day International cricket, Kuldeep Yadav has done wonders for Team India and has emerged in these past eight years as a proven weapon that delivers for his team against some of the most challenging opponents.
Kuldeep's ability to toss the ball up and bring it in, makes him hard to score off especially against left handers. Moreover, his ability to give the ball a darn fine turn also makes him a worthy candidate to clinch frequent leg before wicket mode of dismissals.
He's surely one of the best spinners in the world and some amazing stats that point to the direction of 181 ODI, 69 T20 and 56 Test wickets establish the fact that the man from Kanpur is among the best spinners in the world.
In the current annals of Indian cricket where there's no Ravichandran Ashwin, the presence of talents like Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy gives the great side much needed reprieve in that they have game-changing talents in their ranks.
Akeal Hosein (West Indies)
Over the past half a decade or so, the noted left arm West Indian spinner hailing from the island paradise of Trinidad and Tobago has forged a strong reputation as a match-winning spinner who can deliver wickets when most needed in both formats of white-ball cricket.
Hosein's talent stems from his relentless accuracy around the off stump (the line that he maintains) which often cramps batters for room and helps his team put a tight lid on the opponent's scoring.
The slow left arm orthodox bowler has, thus far, picked up 122 white-ball wickets for the Windies team and has proven himself to be a mainstay of the spin bowling department.
Today, one cannot imagine the West Indies team without the likes of Alzarri Joseph and Akeal Hosein; they are to the bowling unit what a Shai Hope is to the white-ball format batting. Wouldn't you agree? Surely, with an experience of being constantly among the wickets for no fewer than 108 games, as on date, for his team, Akeal Hosein is among the best spinners in the world.
Mitchell Santner (New Zealand)
Becoming the captain of New Zealand's limted overs side has actually upped the performances and level of competitiveness for Santner, a clever foxy left arm spinner who has the regard of the larger cricketing fraternity.
Earlier this year, it was under his leadership that the Kiwis reached the final of the much publicised and highly popular Champions Trophy 2025 edition, where they emerged runner's up to winners, India.
Santner operates akin to a calm head under pressure and is an experienced campaigner who can even turn up the ante with the bat. Thus far, he's picked up 320 international wickets for New Zealand who look up to him as an experienced and dependable cricketer who is not about a lot of words, but always about passion and the desire to excel for his nation.
Most would consider him easily as a great feature when it comes to the best spinners in the world list and his incredible spell against India in the 2019 World Cup semi-final will always be cherished everywhere.
Keshav Maharaj (South Africa)
Not only did Keshav Maharaj recently get the opportunity of leading the Proteas in the Test match against Zimbabwe, which is still ongoing, the widely-noted left-arm orthodox spinner went past a significant milestone in his career.
That of reaching 200 Test match wickets, which was thanks to his superb spell of 3 for 70 during Zimbabwe's first inning out in the middle.
Over the past several years, Maharaj has emerged not only among the best spinners in the world but has done that by putting a tight lid on run scoring and by constantly capturing wickets when most needed by his South African team.
He's been a dependable, wicket-taking spark that lights up the Proteas fire.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q1. Which names from India feature in the list of best spinners in the world?
Certainly the name of Kuldeep Yadav figures in this list and deservingly so!
Q2. Which famous English spinner is included in this list?
The name of Adil Rashid famously features on this list and for his ability to contribute with worthy wickets in both red and white-ball cricket
