Cricket is a sport where the bowler plays an essential role in every team. We have seen many great fast bowlers who have dominated and injured many batters. But spinners are the team's backbone as they take wickets in middle overs of ODI and T20 cricket. Even in the test, when a team has to take wickets, they usually give the ball to spinners, and we have witnessed many great spinners. So, here’s a list of the ten most dangerous spinners of all time.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan is one of the best and most dangerous spinners that cricket has ever seen. He was an off-spinner bowler of Sri Lanka who was the nightmare of batters. In his prime, no batter wanted to face him. From spinning the ball to bowling doosra, Muttiah Muralitharan was a very skilled bowler who specialized in everything, and that’s why he was able to dismiss every top batter of the World. Muttiah Muralitharan is the highest wicket-taker in test and ODI cricket, taking 800 wickets in trial and 534 in ODI.
2. Shane Warne
Shane Warne was one of the biggest superstars in cricket who made this game famous. He was also known as the magician, as Shane Warne used to turn the ball at his will. No one forgets his “ball of the century” to Mike Gatting and his epic delivery to Andrew Strauss. Even though Shane Warne died, he will always be remembered for his contribution to cricket. In his prime, no batter could play him, and he used to rule all batters. In his career, Shane Warne has taken 708 wickets in tests and 293 wickets in ODI cricket.
3. Saqlain Mushtaq
Even though Pakistan has a legacy of producing many great fast bowlers like Wasim, Waqar, and Shoaib, Saqlain Mushtaq was one of the most dominant spinners that cricket has ever seen. He was also the inventor of Doosra delivery, and Saqlain Mushtaq trapped many batters with his Doosra. He was one of the off-spinners whose bowling action never got banned. One can forget his performance in the Chennai test in 1999. In his career, Saqlain Mushtaq has taken 208 wickets in tests and 288 in ODI cricket.
4. Anil Kumble
India has always produced many great spinners, but Anil Kumble is the best and most dangerous spinner India has ever produced. Even though he did not have bowling action like Muralitharan and magical deliveries like Shane Warne, Anil Kumble’s height and accurate line and length made him one of the most dangerous spinners in cricket history. He was also one of the fastest spinners who efficiently used to bowl around 100 Kmph. Anil Kumble is the highest wicket-taker for India, as he has taken 619 wickets in the test and 337 wickets in the ODI.
5. Abdul Qadir
Many people do not know Abdul Qadir, as he was one of the oldest spinners in cricket. Abdul Qadir was a right-arm leg spinner and one of the greatest spinners ever. Even legends like Shane Warne considered Abdul Qadir as their idol. In modern-day cricket, Googly is one of the spinners' main deliveries, and Abdul Qadir was the godfather of this delivery. Many great batters like Viv Richards have praised him. In his career, Abdul Qadir took 236 wickets in tests and 132 wickets in ODI cricket.
6. Ravichandran Ashwin
Cricket has seen many great off-spinners, but Ravichandran Ashwin is the greatest off-spinner in modern-day cricket. His excellent line, length, and beautiful action make it difficult for batters to play him. Even though Ashwin has no special delivery, his line and accurate length make him one of the most dangerous spinners ever. Ashwin’s wicket-taking style is very different from other bowlers as he stops runs and puts pressure on batters. In his career, Ravichandran Ashwin has taken 489 wickets in tests, 156 in ODI, and 72 in T20I.
7. Imran Tahir
South Africa has always been famous for producing great fast bowlers like Steyn, Donald, and Shaun Pollock. But Imran Tahir is a first name that comes to mind when discussing South African spinners. No one can ever forget his celebration after taking wickets. Imran Tahir had always been the nightmare of bowlers, and batters used to fear him because of his magical delivery, Googly. In his career, Imran Tahir has taken 173 wickets in ODI and 63 wickets in T20I cricket.
8. Saeed Ajmal
Saeed Ajmal took forward the spinning legacy after the magician bowlers like Muralitharan and Shane Warne. Undoubtedly, he was one of the best spinners that Pakistan has ever produced. In his prime, every batter in the World used to fear him because of his magical deliveries. As an off-spinner, Saeed Ajmal had almost every skill that every spinner needs. He has been World No. 1 bowler in ODI and T20I for many years, and Saeed Ajmal took 100 wickets in just 20 test matches. If his action had not been banned, Saeed Ajmal could become the greatest bowler in Pakistan.
9. Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan is one of the most dangerous spinners in modern-day cricket. He is only 25 years old, and at such a young age, Rashid Khan has established his name as one of the best spinners in the World. He has the best Googly in today's cricket, and many batters fear him. Rashid Khan has played in almost every league of the World and dominated every company. So far, Rashid Khan has taken 183 wickets in ODI and 130 wickets in T20I.
10. Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine is a right-arm off-spinner from the West Indies. He is one of the most dangerous spinners in cricket, and every batter used to struggle against him. Sunil Narine is the only bowler who bowled a maiden super over. But after ICC banned his bowling action, Sunil Narine lost his magic in his bowling. Even though he is still effective and one of the best spinners in T20. Sunil Narine has taken 92 wickets in tests and 52 wickets in T20I.
