5 best leg-spinners in IPL history

When T20 cricket was introduced, it was believed that the art of spin would soon perish. But with the passage of time, the charm of spin bowling has flowered in the shortest format of the game as well. Leg spin is one of the toughest crafts to perfect, but once you've mastered it, you have a potent weapon no matter what the format.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) requires brisk scoring as most batsmen have no option but to go after bowling at some stage. When a leg-spinner tosses it up and invites the batsman, he automatically lures them into hitting the big shots. Like most leggies, they get hit for runs, but that’s how they get their wickets as well.

Here is a list of 5 all time best leg-spinners who have done well in the IPL:

5. Karn Sharma (SRH)

Right-arm leg-spinner, Karn Sharma, was part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad in 2009 edition of the IPL, but did not get a chance to play a single game there. Later, he was picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of IPL 2013 and since then, there has been no looking back for the spinner as he been an integral part of his side.

Karn has scalped 35 wickets in the 38 matches he has played so far in the IPL with best figures of 4 for 38 in 2014. His decent economy rate and handy contributions with the bat helped him fetch Rs. 3.75 crore in the fresh IPL 2014 auction where he was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad. He was the highest paid uncapped Indian player in IPL 2014. His performances in the IPL helped him to earn a national T20 call-up against England at Birmingham in September 2014.

4. Piyush Chawla (KXIP and KKR)

Piyush Chawla has taken more than 10 wickets in every IPL season so far including the current season (2015). His googlies have bamboozled many batsmen in the IPL which has made him a leading wicket-taker bowler in the shortest format of the game.

The leg spinner has taken 109 wickets in 109 matches with best figures of 4/17. He is also the 3rd highest wicket-taker in the IPL. Chawla played for the Kings XI Punjab from 2008 to 2013. He was, then, picked by Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2014 IPL auction for 4.25 crores.

3. Anil Kumble (RCB)

Right-arm leg break bowler, Anil Kumble, was a part of the IPL only for the first 3 seasons in which he played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Kumble was largely responsible for RCB's turnaround in the IPL. After being named captain for the 2009 season, he led his team to the final of the T20 league.

The former Indian captain took 45 wickets in the three editions of the IPL, proving his worth even in the shortest version of the game. He was among the most effective bowlers in the previous two seasons, taking 17 wickets, with an economy of 6.42 in 2010, and 21, with an economy of 5.86 in 2009. Jumbo took a career-best five-wicket haul conceding just 5 runs against the defending champions Rajasthan Royals which helped RCB get a 75-run victory in the 2009 edition.

2. Shane Warne (RR)

Australian spin wizard, Shane Warne, captained and coached the Rajasthan Royals and led them to a 10-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in the final of the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (2008). Warne was the second highest wicket-taker (after Sohail Tanveer who also played for RR) in that season with 19 wickets in 15 matches.

Warnie continued as captain of the Royals for a further four seasons, the 2011 season being his last with the franchise. He took 57 wickets in the 55 matches he played in the IPL with an economy of 7.27 and best figures of 4 for 21 against Hyderabad.

1. Amit Mishra (DD, DC and SRH)

Amit Mishra is undoubtedly one of the most consistent wicket-taker in the IPL, scalping 111 wickets in the 98 matches he has played so far. He is also the second highest wicket-taker in the IPL behind Lasith Malinga (35). Mishra also holds the unique record of picking a hat-trick for each of the three franchises he has represented (Delhi Daredevils, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad).

Mishra played for Delhi Daredevils in the first three seasons of the IPL before being bought by Deccan Chargers for the 2011 and 2012 season. For the 2013 and 2014 edition of the IPL, he played for Sunrisers Hyderabad and was finally bought back by Delhi Daredevils for this season (2015).