World Cup 2019: Ranking the four best spinners in the tournament

The 12th edition of the Cricket World Cup promises to be one heck of a tournament. With all the ten teams well-balanced, no team is head and shoulders above the rest in the competition. The format this time around is even more exciting with each team slated to play against all the nine teams which will offer an equal chance to each of the participating nations.

While it is believed and even the trend in ICC tournaments alludes to this fact, it might be a high-scoring World Cup with some fine batting paradises that might be witnessed for the course of 45 games. In such cases, the role of the bowlers becomes even more critical as the margin of error becomes ever so small.

However, while the seamers might not be as effective given the lack of assistance from the surface, spinners might have a role to play as the season moves on. The dry weather during the mid-June will also assist the slow bowlers as the wickets become conducive to spin bowling and might offer more grip and turn due to excessive wear and tear during the later stages of the tournament.

Here’s a look at the four best spinners in the tournament:

#4. Adam Zampa (Australia)

Adam Zampa

The 27-year old young leg spinner, Adam Zampa has shown signs of brilliance in his brief career in Australian colours at the highest level. In the past 12 months, Zampa has emerged as a consistent performer, taking over the reins as the leader of the attack in the spin department in ODIs for the Aussies.

He has cemented his spot in the XI with some match-winning performance against some top-notch sides like India and Pakistan in their own backyard. His constant learnings as a leg-spinner, who has the valour to toss the ball and bowl slow, make him a really significant cog in Australia’s ODI setup.

At present, he’s definitely ranked among the best spinners in the world. His role will be crucial to his team’s success in the World Cup and he might even pip the senior pro-Nathan Lyon to make a case for himself in the starting XI as the lone spinner.

#3. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

Rashid Khan

The wonder-boy from Afghanistan has been the flag-bearer for his nation in terms of global recognition in the world of cricket. Rashid Khan who is ranked No.1 in T20I rankings for bowlers has grown in stature with every passing game. Being a T20 freelancer, he boasts of the vast experience of playing in various T20 leagues around the globe which augurs well for his success in the limited overs format.

His success is not limited only to T20s, in fact, he has done well for Afghanistan even in ODIs being their most valuable player in the team. The 20-year old is also world No.3 in ODIs and has played a major role for Afghanistan scaling such heights in a short duration of time. He has been their trump card and is renowned worldwide for his command over the art of leg-spin bowling.

Even in this World Cup, Rashid will be at the heart of things and if Afghanistan are to spring any surprises, the leg-spinner will have to extend his good run of play as the leader of the attack.

#2. Imran Tahir (South Africa)

Imran Tahir

The World Cup of 2019 will be the swansong in Imran Tahir’s ODI career in the South African colours. The 40-year old veteran, who has already announced his post-World cup plans to retire from ODI cricket, will want to finish on a high by breaking the World Cup jinx for the Proteas.

In doing so, he will have a job in hand to deliver the goods for his country at the pinnacle of International cricket. The World No.4 bowler in ODI cricket, Tahir has witnessed a splendid run of form in the recent past. His recent success in IPL should do a world of good to the player who’s nearing the twilight in his career.

His love for leg-spin, an art that only few can master, sees him as the main man for South Africa going into this World Cup. If wickets offer enough assistance to his style of bowling, Tahir will undoubtedly be featuring at the cliff for most impactful performance for his team.

#1 Kuldeep Yadav (India)

Kuldeep Yadav

Touted as India’s trump card along-side his partner in crime, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep will have a huge role to play in India’s World Cup campaign in 2019. His ability to bowl slow and deceive the batsman in the air is what makes him a lethal weapon going into this World Cup. His numbers in the past two years are enough to call for the amount of success at the international level.

He has grown in confidence and has never shied away from tossing the ball above the eye-line. A traditional chinaman bowler, Kuldeep Yadav has been fortunate to get the backing of his skipper despite going for plenty at times. In return, he has repaid the faith by producing some stellar match-winning performances.

His experience of playing in England and the benefits of tasting success on some of the flat surfaces in the county will do a world of good to his confidence, especially after an indecent IPL season.