Cricket has achieved such high regard in the eyes of the public for various reasons. The game of bat and ball is known for its ability to don the blanket of change with time. Over the years, the five-day format has been reduced to limited-overs white-ball cricket, much to the cheers of the eternal fans. Hence, the power-hitters and quick wicket-takers have been roaring on the cricketing turf in the modern-day nature of the sport.
Hence, the wrist-spinners have become the talk-of-the-town because they are emerging as the answer to the batsman-dominated cricketing era. With their potential to put a stop to the pinch-hitting contest and pluck some crucial breakthroughs, they have become an X-Factor in the cricketing arena.
On that note, this article weighs on the Top 10 wrist-spinners who have been ruling the roost at the moment. The likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Adam Zampa belong to the exclusive wrist-spinning club. Let’s find out whether they cement their position on this list of heavyweights.
Top 10 wrist spinners at the moment
10. Ish Sodhi
The New-Zealand based cricketer has moved up the cricketing ladder due to his wits and street-smart brain. Ish Sodhi debuted for the black caps against Bangladesh in a test-match in 2013. Hence, the tall spin-king has taken over the reins of the former legend Daniel Vettori successfully. Eventually, he broke into the limited-overs format only to become a mainstay in the playing XI.
The wrist-spinner has plucked 98 wickets in the limited-overs format of the game. Making noise with the red leather, the tweaker has scalped 41 wickets with the best inning figure 4/60 in 17 matches.
Hence, Ish rightly finds himself grabbing the 10th position in the high-profile list of players. New Zealand would cherish to enjoy the 28-year-old’s bowling services in the next few years.
9. Tabraiz Shamsi
The South-African wrist spinner is known for his class-apart deception skills. Tabraiz Shamsi was handed the national cap against the mighty Aussies in the latter’s den in 2016. The left-arm chinaman boasts an in and out career for the rainbow nation. The proteas skipper uses his services at the time when the opposition is firing all cylinders at them.
Talking about his statistics, the 30-year-old has appeared in 22 ODIs scalping 26 wickets at a stunning economy of 5.32. As of now, he has played 25 T20I wherein he has bagged 21 heads to his name. Due to his ability to keep the scoreboard under control, the tweaker is the captain’s favourite on the 22 yards.
Therefore, Shamsi secured the 9th spot for his consistent performance over the years. His fans and well-wishers must be waiting for him to etch his name as the best-into-the business in the upcoming days.
8. Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav is one of the biggest wrist spinners in the Indian cricketing universe. He broke into the national side against Australia in 2017 on the back of some scintillating performance in the domestic circuit as well as IPL. The Indian spinning wizard has sent chills down the opposition’s spine ever since he made his debut in white-ball cricket. Moreover, he hogged the headlines after he bagged a hat-trick against Australia at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium.
The topsy-turvy career reflects a solid foundation of the Uttar-Pradesh born bowler. He has featured in 6 Test matches picking up 24 wickets. In 61 ODIs and 20 T20I, Kuldeep has toppled 144 wickets till now.
Eventually, the Indian spinner barges into the top 10 list without a shade of doubt. It will be exciting to see whether he ups his ante in the future or wanes away with time.
7. Shadab Khan
The Pakistan-based cricketer has established his name as a frontline spinner in the team. Men-in-green enjoys his presence in the field. Shadab Khan realized his dreams when he represented his national side against West Indies in 2017.
Unlike the modern limited-overs spinner, Shadab bowls with a loopier trajectory and uses his wit and guile to fox the batsmen in the air. He uses the crease well bowling from close to the stumps as well as from a wider angle, to make the batsman recalibrate his eye-line.
Looking at his number game, Shadab has collected 59 wickets in 43 ODIs. Hence, he has shown glimpses of brilliance in limited-overs cricket. Eventually, he takes the 7th spot in this star-studded list of professionals.
6. Adam Zampa
Adam Zampa has been the shining light in the Aussie tunnel in the recent few years. The budding talent racked up another milestone when he debuted for his national team in 2016. His bowling craft has earned the pricy wickets in the form of modern master Virat Kohli several times. Gradually, the china man has become the sensation in the down under. However, he is yet to don the baggy green despite giving some nerve-wracking performance in the limited-overs format.
In 61 ODIs, the 28-year-old has chipped in 92 wickets at an economy of 5. Moreover, in the 36 T20Is, Zampa has cropped up as a rescue castling away as many as 39 crucial heads and ripping the opposition apart.
Adam rightly takes the 6th position as he has proven his mettle time and again. With a long career ahead of him, it will be exciting to to see what future has in store for him.
5.Adil Rashid
The England-based spinner has risen up the ranks on his merit. His prowess coupled with bowling intelligence got him the chance to fight for his country on the cricketing field. Although Adil Rashid went wicketless in his debut ODI against Pakistan in 2015, he has plenty of talent written all over his name.
As his career took off, the 32-year-old has grabbed 155 wickets in 105 ODIs till now. As far as T20Is are concerned, his duties have come as a breather for the skipper Eoin Morgan. The right-hander has picked up 51 wickets in 52 matches at an economy of 7.52.
Hence, the formidable spin-king captures the 5th position, thanks to his persistent hard work and patience. It would be no surprise that the conventional-spinner continues to wreak havoc on top-order batsmen in the years to come.
4. Yuzvendra Chahal
With the presence of Kuldeep Yadav in this list, his compatriot Yuzvendra Chahal cannot be left out. Indian cricket team has benefitted robustly with the presence of the spinning duo. It is rightly said that the two bowlers become more impactful when they bowl in tandem. Chahal’s game sense along with his potential to pitch the right delivery at the right time sets him apart from the crowd.
In the 54 ODIs as well as 45 T20Is, the leggie has collected 92 and 59 wickets respectively. Bowling with the right intent has given him a green signal to stick to the national team for so long.
All hell breaks loose when the Indian skipper hands him the leather to pull off something special from his bag. Therefore, he takes the 4th position in this ranking of world-class bowlers. However, if he continues to do his duties perfectly, it will be a no-brainer if he gets up the ranks in the list in the upcoming days.
3. Imran Tahir
Imran Tahir is considered to be the vital cog in South Africa’s bowling machinery. He spearheads the spinning unit for the rainbow nation. The veteran cricketer holds truckloads of experience on his shoulders. Hence, the Pakistan-born tweaker is a famous name in franchises cricket all over the world.
His long run-up and fine craft have helped him to produce some ripper deliveries on the 22 yards. In 107 ODIs, the spinning wizard has smothered 173 wickets at an impressive economy of 4.61. As far as T20I is concerned, Tahir has bagged 63 crucial breakthroughs in 38 matches.
Subsequently, Imran is awarded the 3rd position for his match-winning potential in any team he plays for. Therefore, the 41-year-old flaunts a decorated career to his name.
2. Yasir Shah
The Pakistan-based cricketer is considered a rising prospect in the country which flaunted some of the best tweakers back in the days. Yasir Shah has shown a spark of brilliance several times. In his debut Test match against Australia, he grabbed 7 wickets and jolted the opposition’s batting line-up severely. Hence, Pakistan won the match by 221 runs.
The 34-year-old has statistics that speak on his behalf. In only 42 Test appearances, the prolific match-winner has plucked as many as 224 wickets leaving fans and experts in complete awe. Hence, a short-stint career speaks volumes about his capacity. Needless to say, Pakistan will reap benefits in the coming years.
He takes the sweet 2nd spot in the list of top-10 wrist-spinners in the world. Currently, he is preparing for the match against New Zealand as a visitor wherein he will have the best opportunity to display his brilliance.
1. Rashid Khan
If any cricket-playing nation would be given a choice to pick from the wrist-spinner’s draw who can do wonders for them, then Rashid Khan’s name would be the favourite. The Afghanistan-based cricketer took the world by surprise with his spinning prowess. Within no time after he debuted for Afghanistan in 2015, Rashid became the recognized name in T20 extravaganza all over the world.
Marketing leg-spinner’s modern face with chic, Rashid outnumbers leg-breaks with googlies, something he has perfected into a reliable and somewhat retaliatory weapon and executes it without being ever so predictable. The current world-no 1 spinner has toppled many powerful batting line-ups singlehandedly. In 70 ODIs, he has racked 133 wickets at an economy of 4.16.
Hence, he secured the numero-uno spot for his fearless bowling template. Mastering the art of deception, batsmen have often fallen into the trap of his natural skills. The 22-year-old has a long way to go and improve his career trajectory without any doubt.
Source: The source of this content is our cricket news platform Crictracker.
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