5 Most Successful Left-Arm Spinners In Test Cricket History

Left-arm spin has never played such a role in Test cricket as it has done in the last few series. From October to November 2024, the left-arm spinners took 114 wickets in the three main Test series (Pakistan vs England, Bangladesh vs South Africa, and India vs New Zealand).

With two of the top three wicket-takers in each of these series being left-arm spin bowlers, it confirms the ascendancy of left-arm spinners in cricket’s longer format.

Five most successful left-arm spinners in Test cricket’s history

5. Daniel Vettori – The Young Prodigy Turned Veteran

Test Wickets: 362

Five-Wicket Hauls: 20

Ten-Wicket Hauls: 3

Daniel Vettori was New Zealand’s youngest Test cricketer when he debuted, and then established himself as one of the most dependable all-rounders in cricket. By the age of 21 he had 100 Test wickets.

Confronting pitches that offered few favors for bowlers, Vettori relied on his subtle variations and amazing control rather than just turn. He became the first left-arm spinner with 300 wickets in Tests and ODIs, solidifying his role in the legacy of the greats.

4. Ravindra Jadeja – Left-Arm Maestro of Modern Cricket

Test Wickets: 319 (and ongoing)

Five-Wicket Hauls: 15

Ten-Wicket Hauls: 3

Now considered to be the finest active left-arm spinner in Test cricket, Ravindra Jadeja has proved to be a match-winner for India both with bat and ball. His forte is tight, aggressive lines and faultless control, leaving run-scoring an uphill task for opponents.

Jadeja’s batting and athleticism skills further boost the value of his Test career. As there are many years of cricket still remaining in his kitty, he is likely to come across more records of left-arm spinners.

3. Bishan Singh Bedi – The Spin Bowling Master Artist

Test Wickets: 266

Five-Wicket Hauls: 14

Ten-Wicket Hauls: 1

Bishan Singh Bedi who epitomized the spin quartet of India, had grace, flight and phenomenal control. He bowled because it was art with patience and skill. Bedi’s graceful action and good loop were a problem for any batter worth his salt.

Bedi’s reputation goes beyond the statistics of the wickets taken, he is recognised as an icon for his strength of character and sportsmanship. Bedi was the first cricketer to receive the Padma Shri (1970) and will always be revered as an entity in Indian cricketing folklore.

2. Derek Underwood – ‘Deadly’ Accuracy from England

Test Wickets: 297

Five-Wicket Hauls: 17

Ten-Wicket Hauls: 6

Nicknamed ‘Deadly’, Derek Underwood was one of England’s greatest intimidators with the ball during the late 1960s and 70s. His flat, skidding action and accuracy made him a terror on damp English wickets, where his deliveries would grab and whizz through.

Underwood’s virtuosity on sticky wickets and unrelenting consistency made him a legend. Apart from being a player of note, he was also MCC President in 2008.

1. Rangana Herath – The King of Left-Arm Spin

Test Wickets: 433

Five-Wicket Hauls: 34

Ten-Wicket Hauls: 9

As Muttiah Muralitharan moved into retirement, Sri Lanka found a (spin) savior in Rangana Herath. Dispensing with reliance on pace and bounce, Herath expertly used flight, drift, and subtle variations in speed to annihilate batting orders – especially on turning surfaces.

Herath finished with a remarkable tally of 433 Test wickets, nine ten-wicket matches and the ability to win matches essentially by himself. His accomplishment established a new benchmark for left-arm spinners in Test match cricket.