5 Best Leg spinners in IPL history

The Indian Premier League has witnessed some fine leg spinners since its inception. The T20 extravaganza has seen mix of legendary as well as some lesser known leg spinners. Legendary leg spinners line Shane Warne and Anil Kumble made the headlines in the first 2-3 editions showcasing their class but after that some of the lesser known as well as some of the upcoming leg spinners left their impression with some performances and there has been no looking back since then.

In this piece, we are about to discuss 5 leg spinners who have played a crucial role for their respective sides in IPL history. The leg spinners mentioned in the list possess different skills, variations and their ability to use the conditions depending on the nature of the wicket. As we know adaptability is a vital factor in T20 cricket and these leg spinners have adapted well to the conditions which make them a class apart in the Indian Premier League.

These spinners have showcased their dominance to pick wickets during critical situations and have changed the outcome of a game with their individual brilliance. Some are skilful while turning the ball or flighting the ball while some are penetrative with their wrong ones and faster ones depending on their individual strengths. These spinners have delivered some match-winning performances which is why they have been most successful in IPL history. We take a look at the 5 best spinners in IPL history.

#1 Amit Mishra

Arguably one of the finest wrist spinners in the IPL at the moment, Amit Mishra has time and again outfoxed the batsmen with his deceptive turn and faster ones. The 38-year-old can trouble the batsmen with his length and wrong ones. The former Delhi Daredevils player has this knack to keep the batsmen guessing with his variations and can purchase enough turn even on wickets aiding the pacers.

The Haryana player will be remembered as one of the finest leg spinners in T20 and limited-overs format. The Delhi Capitals player has taken 160 wickets in 150 IPL games till now with best figures of 17/3.

#2 Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal is more of a finger spinner but the 30-year-old can outsmart the batsmen with his flight. The former Mumbai Indians player can bowl slower through the air that puts the batsmen in two minds. Although his international performance lately haven’t been up to the mark, Chahal has always been RCB’s go-to bowler.

Chahal is a big threat with the old ball and can turn the ball even on flat batting wickets. The Royal Challengers Bangalore player has bagged 121 wickets in 99 IPL games with best figures of 25/6.

#3 Piyush Chawla

Piyush Chawla is one of those bowler’s who is not afraid to toss the ball up even though he gets hit. The 32-year-old can create problems with his flight and is a fine turner of the white ball even when the ball is new. Chawla can execute some wonderful googlies that are hard to judge on turning wickets.

The former Kings XI Punjab player uses the crease nicely which helps him to land the ball in the right areas. Chawla has taken 156 wickets in 164 IPL games with figures of 17/2. He is now set to play for the Mumbai Indians franchise after being released byb the Chennai Super Kings.

#4 Imran Tahir

One of the most experienced campaigners in the Chennai Super Kings dugout, Imran Tahir‘s quick action combined with his variation is difficult to pick. Tahir’s run-up and release tends to put the batsmen in two minds. The 42-year-old is quicker through the air and uses wrists wonderfully to put revolutions on the ball. Tahir can contain the batsmen with his line and can bowl occasional faster ones to surprise the batsmen.

The South African can put the breaks on the scoring in the middle overs with his clever variations with the old ball in T20 as well as limited-overs format. Tahir is a fine negotiator with the new ball. The Chennai Super Kings player has taken 80 wickets in 58 IPL games with best figures of 12/5.

#5 Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan has all kind of tricks under his sleeves. The 24-year-old can unsettle the batsmen with his straighter ones and is quicker through the air. The Afghan’s quick and unorthodox action is difficult to read on fast seaming wickets. Rashid Khan has the ability to produce wicket-taking deliveries. The leg spinner has taken 75 wickets in 62 IPL games with best figures of 7/5.

The Afghan bowler has proven his mettle in the international stage and continues to shine in the IPL. Batsmen have tended to play him and take very few risks during his overs. In spite of the same, the wily leggie has always managed to outfox the batsmen with his clever bowling. The youngster still has a long way to go in his career and he might as well end his career as a legend of the game.

Also Read: Top 5 pairs with most 100+ run partnerships in IPL history

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