Top 5 Wrist Spinners in This White-Ball Era
Wrist spinners have become essential in white-ball formats, bringing a unique blend of skill and unpredictability. Their ability to turn matches with crucial breakthroughs and control the game flow makes them invaluable assets for their teams. In this era of explosive batting and high-stakes games, five wrist spinners stand out for their exceptional performances and significant impact across ODIs and T20Is.
Look at the Top 5 wrist spinners who have defined this white-ball era with their remarkable talents and match-winning performances.
Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan, an Afghan cricketing sensation, has established himself as one of the premier spin bowlers in limited-overs formats. In ODIs, he has played 103 matches, taking 183 wickets with an average of 20.48 and an economy rate of 4.24, highlighted by his best bowling figures of 7/18. In T20Is, Rashid has featured in 93 games, claiming 152 wickets at an impressive average of 14.13 and an economy rate of 6.08, with his best figures being 5/3. His remarkable performance in both formats underscores his status as a key player for Afghanistan.
Rashid Khan’s bowling stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Balls | Runs | Wickets | BBI | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 103 | 98 | 5300 | 3748 | 183 | 7/18 | 20.48 | 4.24 | 28.9 |
| T20Is | 93 | 93 | 2120 | 2149 | 152 | 5/3 | 14.13 | 6.08 | 13.9 |
Rashid Khan’s best performances
Rashid Khan’s best bowling figures in T20Is came against Ireland in 2017, where he took 5 wickets for just 3 runs, showcasing his ability to easily dismantle the batting line-ups. Another standout performance was against Bangladesh in 2018, where he demonstrated his control and wicket-taking prowess with figures of 4 for 12. In ODIs, Rashid’s best performance was against the West Indies in 2017, where he took 7 wickets for just 18 runs, helping Afghanistan to a memorable victory. Another key performance was against Ireland in 2019, where he took 6 wickets for 43 runs, demonstrating his consistency and effectiveness.
Rashid Khan’s key skills
Rashid Khan is renowned for his deceptive googly, which often confounds batsmen. He maintains an exceptionally low economy rate, making him a valuable asset in limited-overs cricket. Capable of bowling in the powerplay and at the death, Rashid is adaptable to different match situations, showcasing his versatility as a spinner. That ranks him higher in the Top 5 Wrist Spinners of cricket.
Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav, a prominent Indian spinner, has showcased his talent across limited-overs cricket. In ODIs, he has appeared in 103 matches, taking 168 wickets with an average of 26.01 and an economy rate of 5.05, his best figures being 6/25. In T20Is, Kuldeep has played 40 games, claiming 69 wickets at an average of 14.07 and an economy rate of 6.77, with his best performance being 5/17. His impressive stats highlight his role as a key bowler for India in both formats.
Kuldeep Yadav‘s bowling stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Balls | Runs | Wickets | BBI | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 103 | 100 | 5189 | 4370 | 168 | 6/25 | 26.01 | 5.05 | 30.8 |
| T20Is | 40 | 39 | 860 | 971 | 69 | 5/17 | 14.07 | 6.77 | 12.4 |
Kuldeep Yadav’s best performance
Kuldeep Yadav’s career-best T20I figures came against South Africa in 2023, where he took 5 wickets for 17 runs, dismantling their batting lineup and showcasing his exceptional skills. Another notable performance was against England in 2018, where he took 5 wickets for 24 runs. In ODIs, Kuldeep’s best figures were against England in 2018, where he took 6 wickets for 25 runs, playing a crucial role in India’s win. Another significant performance was against the West Indies in 2019, where he took 5 wickets for 24 runs, highlighting his wicket-taking abilities.
Kuldeep Yadav’s key skills
Kuldeep’s rare skill set as a left-arm wrist spinner makes him a unique challenge for batsmen. He combines his variations with consistent accuracy, making him a potent wicket-taker. Kuldeep often breaks partnerships and controls the game during the middle overs, making him highly effective in that phase of the game.
Adil Rashid
Adil Rashid, a key English spinner, has made notable contributions in limited-overs cricket. In ODIs, he has played 135 matches, securing 199 wickets at an average of 32.04 and an economy rate of 5.63, with his best figures being 5/27. In T20Is, Rashid has featured in 114 games, taking 120 wickets at an average of 24.46 and an economy rate of 7.33, with his best performance being 4/2. His performances underline his significant role in England’s bowling lineup across both formats.
Adil Rashid’s bowling stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Balls | Runs | Wickets | BBI | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 135 | 129 | 6789 | 6377 | 199 | 5/27 | 32.04 | 5.63 | 34.1 |
| T20Is | 114 | 110 | 2402 | 2936 | 120 | 4/2 | 24.46 | 7.33 | 20.0 |
Adil Rashid’s best performances
Adil Rashid’s best T20I figures came against the West Indies in 2019, where he took 4 wickets for just 2 runs, proving his leg-spin was too much for the opposition. Another standout performance was against Pakistan in 2020, where he took 3 wickets for 11 runs. In ODIs, Rashid’s best figures were against Ireland in 2020, where he took 5 wickets for 27 runs, playing a crucial role in England’s victory. A performance against New Zealand in 2015, where he took 4 wickets for 36 runs, highlighted his wicket-taking ability in ODIs.
Adil Rashid’s key skills
Adil Rashid’s variations, including a well-disguised googly, make him a dangerous bowler. Consistently among the wickets, Rashid often provides crucial breakthroughs. He excels in maintaining pressure and taking wickets during the middle overs, making him a vital part of England’s bowling attack.
Adam Zampa
Adam Zampa, an Australian leg-spinner, has excelled in limited-overs formats. In ODIs, he has played 99 matches, taking 169 wickets with an average of 28.05 and an economy rate of 5.47, with his best figures being 5/35. In T20Is, Zampa has featured in 87 games, claiming 105 wickets at an average of 21.60 and an economy rate of 7.22, with his best performance being 5/19. His stats highlight his effectiveness and key role in Australia’s bowling attack in both formats.
Adam Zampa’s bowling stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Balls | Runs | Wickets | BBI | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 99 | 99 | 5199 | 4742 | 169 | 5/35 | 28.05 | 5.47 | 30.7 |
| T20Is | 87 | 86 | 1883 | 2269 | 105 | 5/19 | 21.60 | 7.22 | 17.9 |
Adam Zampa’s best performances
Adam Zampa’s best T20I figures came against Bangladesh in 2021, where he took 5 wickets for 19 runs, showcasing his leg-spin’s effectiveness. Another strong performance was against India in 2020, where he took 4 wickets for 34 runs. In ODIs, Zampa’s best figures were against South Africa in 2020, where he took 5 wickets for 35 runs, playing a key role in Australia’s victory. Another significant performance was against New Zealand in 2019, where he took 4 wickets for 43 runs, demonstrating his ability to take wickets.
Adam Zampa’s key skills
Zampa’s leg-spin and his ability to bowl the wrong’un effectively make him a potent bowler. Known for his knack for picking up key wickets, Zampa often turns games in Australia’s favor. He is effective in various conditions and situations, whether in the powerplay or middle overs, showcasing his adaptability.
Wanindu Hasaranga
Wanindu Hasaranga, a talented Sri Lankan all-rounder, has shown his skills in limited-overs cricket. In ODIs, he has played 54 matches, scoring 895 runs at an average of 22.94, with a high score of 80* and a strike rate of 111.04. In T20Is, Hasaranga has featured in 71 games, amassing 675 runs at an average of 14.06, with a highest score of 71 and a strike rate of 131.06. His performances highlight his role as a key all-rounder for Sri Lanka in both formats.
Wanindu Hasaranga’s bowling stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Balls | Runs | Wickets | BBI | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 54 | 53 | 2577 | 2194 | 84 | 7/19 | 26.11 | 5.10 | 30.6 |
| T20Is | 71 | 69 | 1548 | 1789 | 114 | 4/9 | 15.69 | 6.93 | 13.5 |
Wanindu Hasaranga’s best performances
Wanindu Hasaranga’s best T20I figures came against India in 2021, where he took 4 wickets for 9 runs, demonstrating his leg-spin’s devastating effect. Another standout performance was against South Africa in 2021, where he took 4 wickets for 17 runs. In ODIs, Hasaranga’s best figures were against Zimbabwe in 2023, where he took 7 wickets for 19 runs, the fifth-best in history, wrecking Zimbabwe’s batting order with his googly, slider, and leg break. Another notable performance was against Zimbabwe in 2020, where he took 5 wickets for 26 runs, showcasing his all-round abilities.
Wanindu Hasaranga’s key skills
Hasaranga’s variations, particularly his googly, are difficult for batsmen to read. An effective lower-order batsman, he adds depth to the team with his batting skills. Known for his ability to take crucial wickets, Hasaranga often changes the course of the game with his key breakthroughs.
