Top 5 Best Spinners In IPL
It was perceived that slow bowlers and spinners would struggle in T20 Cricket. Some thought that it could be the end of most of their careers. However, it has been anything but. The best spinners in competitions such as the IPL, BBL and CPL have helped their team win multiple titles.
Rahul Chahar in the recent edition of the Indian Premier League played a crucial role to help the Mumbai Indians win the title. He picked up 15 wickets in 15 games and helped bring added variety to the attack. Ashwin and Axar were both superb for the Delhi Capitals, helping them reach the final.
But, who are the top 5 best spinners in the history of the IPL?
Imran Tahir
Imran Tahir has perhaps been one of the most influential spinners in the history of the IPL. The energy that he brings to proceedings, along with the huge wicket-taking ability puts him ahead of his counterparts.
Tahir has played 58 matches in the IPL and taken an impressive 80 wickets at a bowling average of 21.09 and at an economy rate of 7.83. In the 2019 IPL season, he helped CSK reach the final. Tahir picked up 26 wickets in the tournament and was the leading wicket-taker.
Imran Tahir is number five on our list of “Top 5 best spinners in the IPL.”
Ravi Ashwin
Ravi Ashwin has been a stalwart in the IPL. With both bat and ball in hand, he has performed admirably for the various franchises that he has represented. He has played for the Chennai Super Kings, the Rising Pune Supergiants and the Kings XI Punjab. In the 2020 IPL, he represented the Delhi Capitals superbly.
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Ashwin has taken 138 wickets in 154 games. His best season was CSK’s second title winning season, where they defended their crown from the year before. At the 2011 IPL, Ashwin picked up 20 wickets in just 16 matches at a bowling average of 19.40 and at a very good economy rate of 6.15. In the final, he picked up the crucial wickets of Agarwal, Gayle and Vettori.
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Ravi Ashwin is number four on our list of “Top 5 best spinners in the IPL.”
Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh has played 160 IPL games and taken 150 wickets. His overall economy rate of just 7.05 is one of the best among bowlers to have played for such a long time period. He had a superb career with the Mumbai Indians, winning three titles with them in 2013, 2015 and 2017.
In 2013 he took 24 wickets at a bowling average of 19 and at an economy rate of 6.51. Then, in 2015 he picked up 18 wickets at a bowling average of 24.77 and an economy rate of 7.82.
In 2018, he then moved to the Chennai Super Kings and won his fourth IPL title and the franchises’s third that season. Despite not having a great season for CSK, he played most of the matches.
Harbhajan Singh is number three on our list of “Top 5 best spinners in the IPL.”
Amit Mishra
Amit Mishra has played 150 IPL games and picked up 160 wickets. He is approaching Lasith Malinga’s record of being the highest wicket-taker and could surpass the fast bowler, with Malinga being out of this IPL.
Despite being on a recent decline wickets wise, Mishra has still bowled economically. His economy rates in the last two full seasons have been 6.75 and 7.13. He has taken three hat-tricks in the IPL – the highest by any player. Mishra’s best season was his 2013 season where he picked up 21 wickets in 17 matches at a bowling average of 18.76 and at an economy rate of 6.35.
Amit Mishra is number two on our list of “Top 5 best spinners in the IPL.”
Sunil Narine
Recently, Sunil Narine’s all-round skills have come to the fore for the Kolkata Knight Riders. However, it was his spin-bowling that helped them win two titles in 2012 and 2014. Overall, he has played 120 matches and picked up 127 wickets. He has been very difficult to read at times, especially prior to his suspect action.
In the 2012 season, Sunil Narine picked up 24 wickets in 15 games at a bowling average of 13.50 and at an economy rate of 5.47. He was almost equally effective in 2014, picking up 21 wickets in 16 games at a bowling average of 19.38 and at an economy rate of 6.35. Narine will be looking to continue his good form from into this year’s IPL.
Sunil Narine is number one on our list of “Top 5 best spinners in the IPL.”
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