One of India's best off-spinners and modern heroes, Ravichandran Ashwin, has declared his intention to stop playing internationally, therefore marking a major turning point for the game of cricket.
Following the third Test match in Brisbane, the 38-year-old revealed the details to cap off a career that boasts 452 wickets, currently ranked sixth in Test history.
Dominating on all kinds of pitches, Ashwin's unmatched skill, tactical brilliance, and versatility helped establish him as one of the all-time greats in the game.
Now is the perfect time to commemorate the icons of off-spin bowling and explore its past when everyone is preoccupied with Ashwin's extraordinary legacy. The top ten off-spinners of all time are examined on this page together with analysis of their extraordinary seasons and special characteristics.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
Many cricket fans consider Muttiah Muralitharan to be the most outstanding off-spinner in the game. Over almost twenty years, he accumulated an unheard-of 800 wickets in Tests and 534 wickets in One-Day Internationals.
Largely because of his unmatched accuracy, adaptability, and ability to execute precise turns on any surface, Muralitharan was practically unplayable.
Since it guides the ball away from right-handed batsmen, his doosra is a deadly and creative complement to his bowling approach.
His 2006 season was remarkable, as he averaged 16.90 by accumulating 90 wickets in 11 Tests.
Claiming 24 wickets throughout a three-match run against England which confirmed his historical relevance, his best efforts showed his remarkable tenacity, relentless will, and ability to blossom in any environment.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin (India)
Renowned modern off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is regarded for his tactical knowledge, control, and range of variations. Having taken 452 wickets in Tests, Ashwin presently boasts over 500 wickets in international cricket.
His outstanding carrom ball bowling—which combines a classic off-spin he subtly alters with speed and flight—as well as a straight delivery set him apart.
With 72 Test wickets in 12 outings at a 23.90 average, 2016 was his most successful season thus far.
By bowling five wickets against countries like South Africa, England, and New Zealand, he significantly helped India to become home dominant that year. Ashwin's mastery as a spinner is demonstrated by his ability to fit any surface and situation.
3. Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan)
Modern off-spin bowling was revolutionised greatly by Saqlain Mushtaq, who invented the doosra. Taking 208 wickets in 49 Tests and 288 in 169 ODIs, he was an extraordinary bowler.
Leading Pakistan to the title game, he made an outstanding effort, claiming 17 wickets during the 1999 Cricket World Cup.
Having a match-winning 10-wicket haul in Chennai, he tormented India in a Test series that same year. In one-day cricket, Saqlain was a powerful weapon because of his spin variation and exact precision. He had a major influence on off-spin bowling even throughout his short career.
4. Jim Laker (England)
Jim Laker broke the record for the most wickets in a Test match in the 1956 Ashes series by attaining an amazing nineteen at Old Trafford. He averaged 21.24 runs in each Test over his career and accumulated 193 wickets.
One of the most gifted off-spinners of all time, Laker's extraordinary control and fast turn extraction set him apart.
Given he completed the Ashes series with 46 wickets at an average of 9.60, 1956 was clearly his most outstanding season, positioning him as the best off-spinner in England cricket history.
5. Erapalli Prasanna (India)
Among the innovators in Indian spin bowling, Erapalli Prasanna stood out for his agility, wit, and ability to outwit batsmen. Often spearheading India's famous spin quartet, he amassed 189 wickets in 49 Tests.
He had his breakthrough year when India toured Australia and New Zealand in 1967–68. Prasanna helped the South Asian nation to their first series away win by contributing 24 wickets at an average of 15.54 in four Tests against New Zealand.
His ability to handle spin and control the ball's dip and drift made him a great off-spinner in his day.
6. Harbhajan Singh (India)
During the 2000s, Harbhajan Singh was a key player in India's bowling attack. Over his almost twenty-year career, he compiled 417 wickets in Tests and 269 in One-Day Internationals.
2001 saw Harbhajan have a breakout year while representing India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In three Tests, he took 32 wickets, including a record-breaking hat trick in Kolkata and match-winning spells in Chennai.
He performed especially well abroad, but at home he was especially effective because of his mix of aggressiveness, energy, and turn.
Harbhajan's influence went beyond numbers; it was defined by his ability to accomplish under the most demanding circumstances.
7. Nathan Lyon (Australia)
With about 450 wickets in Tests, Nathan Lyon is the most productive off-spinner in Australia. Thanks to his consistent performances, bounce, and ability to build momentum from even the most unresponsive surfaces, Lyon—who shone for his country—has been a vital member of the squad.
2017 was his most successful year, as he claimed 63 wickets in Tests, many of which influenced matches throughout the Asian competition.
His 8/50 against India in Bengaluru is still one of cricket's most remarkable performances in history. Lyon is among the most gifted off-spinners of the current era because of his adaptability and his performance levels under pressure.
8. Graeme Swann (England)
England's Test cricket team was much revived in the late 2000s and early 2010s, thanks in great part to Graeme Swann. Over the span of 60 matches, he averaged 29.96 over 255 wickets in Tests.
Swann claimed 64 wickets in Tests and had a remarkable season that greatly helped England's Ashes triumph in Australia.
Bowling with grace, extracting turn, and dismissing batsmen with subtle variances, he is among the most gifted off-spinners in history. Most of England's successes during Swann's career came from his close relationships with the quick bowlers.
9. Hugh Tayfield (South Africa)
During the 1950s, Hugh Tayfield was South Africa's most skilled off-spinner. Given his claimed 170 wickets in 37 Tests, his average of 25.91 runs per match was outstanding.
Against England in Johannesburg in 1957, Tayfield claimed 13 wickets—9/113 in the first innings, an effort famously considered his most outstanding.
Tayfield won many games due, in great part, to his extraordinary accuracy and quick turn-extracting abilities. Though at the time fast bowlers were the norm, his consistency and control set him apart.
10. Lance Gibbs (West Indies)
Collecting 309 wickets in 79 games at an average of 29.09, Lance Gibbs is the first spinner to top 300 Test wickets. Gibbs gained great respect for his bowling, which was marked by accuracy, control, and endurance.
With 24 wickets in five Tests during his most outstanding season against India, 1961–62, Gibbs was a vital part of the West Indies bowling attack since his economical bowling and consistent accuracy set the groundwork for the fast-bowling domination that would develop later in his career.