Left-arm spinners are always a vital part of any bowling attack, offering a varying angle of attack and skillsets. Over the years, their impact on the game has grown.
Among them, Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh stands out as one of the most accomplished. Recently, Shakib made history by becoming the most successful left-arm spinner.
So, who are the most successful left-arm spinners in history?
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Who is the best left-arm spinner in history?
Shakib Al Hasan, a versatile player from Bangladesh, has transformed the role of left-arm spinners. Recently, he became the most successful left-arm spinner in cricket history.
He has surpassed New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori. Shakib now has 707 wickets across all formats in 444 international matches. This achievement marks a milestone in a career spanning nearly 17 years.
Shakib’s success isn’t limited to just his wickets. He is the only player in history to score over 14,000 runs and take 700 wickets in international cricket.
His ability to dominate in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is shows his all-round brilliance. Despite playing for a team often considered an underdog, Shakib has consistently performed at the highest level.
The rise of left-arm spinners like Shakib reflects a broader trend in cricket. In the 20th century, left-arm spinners were fewer and less effective.
However, since 2000, their numbers have doubled, and their impact has increased. The strike rate of left-arm spinners has also improved, making them more dangerous and effective bowlers.
List of most successful left-arm spinners in history
While Shakib leads the pack, other left-arm spinners have also made their mark. Daniel Vettori, with 705 wickets, is another standout.
India’s Ravindra Jadeja has taken 568 wickets, and Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath follows with 525. Let's take a look at the full list.
| Player | Team | Matches | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | 445 | 707 |
| DL Vettori | ICC/New Zealand | 442 | 705 |
| RA Jadeja | India | 342 | 568 |
| HMRKB Herath | Sri Lanka | 181 | 525 |
| ST Jayasuriya | Asia/Sri Lanka | 586 | 440 |
| DL Underwood | England | 112 | 329 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | India | 158 | 294 |
| RJ Shastri | India | 230 | 280 |
| Abdur Razzak | Bangladesh | 200 | 279 |
| MJ Santner | New Zealand | 234 | 275 |
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