Ranking top 5 current batsmen against spinners

Everyone batsmen has to learn to be equipped enough in front of both the forms of bowlers that is pacers and spinners. Playing spin bowling might seem easy as some would say that it comes to the bat at a much slower rate. It is something which should not be connected to spin bowling as the turn which the ball takes is difficult to pick. 

All the batsmen who are regarded as legendary have all done well in conditions which suit spin bowling. To become a complete batsman it is important that your ability to play spin is as good as the ability to play fast-bowling. Many leading batsmen in our game have failed to prove their worth against top-quality spin bowling. However, Some of the current players who have stood the test of time and have shown their class against spin-bowling and let’s see how where they stand in this analysis.

Top 5 current batsmen against spinners

5. Azhar Ali

This might come to surprise to many, but Azhar Ali’s batting tactics against spin bowling has been praised by many former cricketers and cricket experts. He has been a key player in the Pakistan batting unit for a long long time and has shown why he is rated so highly. 

In Tests in Asia, he has scored 3848 runs at an average of 53.44, way more than his career average of 43. In addition to this, 12 of his 17 Test tons have come in Asia, on pitches which suit the spinners and offers them a lot of help. He has earned his spot in Pakistan’s leading run-scorers because of his consistent performances in the UAE and also overseas. 

He uses his feet very well against spin, something which is feared by many batsmen. Along with that, his ability to play sweep shots give him an edge over several batsmen who face problems while playing spin. In addition to this, Ali reads the ball early and tries to get on top of the bowling, something which is regarded as one of his strengths as a batsman.

4. Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara is considered as one of the most solid batsmen in the world right now. He has the ability to tire down bowlers from one end and spoil their line and length. But, while he is tiring down the fast-bowlers, he has a knack of picking runs against spinners. He uses the spell of spinners effectively to add quick runs to the total, while he bats against pacers patiently. 

His record in Asia is no less than incredible. His batting average in Asia is 62.30, which is much more than his career average of 47.74. He has scored a total of 3925 runs in 45 Tests matches and also has 13 tons. His toughest centuries have come on tracks which were turning square but Pujara just kept at it. 

Even in overseas conditions, Pujara has shown his ability to play quality spinners with utmost comfort. His century in England in 2017 and his exploits against Nathan Lyon in Australia presents the case of his batting class. He has scored several runs in conditions which favour spinners and hopefully will continue to do so. 

3. Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson is someone who is regarded as one of the best batsmen New Zealand has ever produced. The Blackcaps captain has scored runs heavily in all conditions and succeeded in conquering oppositions. He has played a significant role in New Zealand’s success in Asian countries in recent times. His record against spin is actually better than most of his peers. 

He has played 19 Tests in Asia and scored 1545 runs. His average during this time has been 46.81 and he has managed five centuries as well. Interestingly, one of those centuries had come on his Test debut in 2010. That knock was being played in Ahmedabad, against quality Indian spinners. Apart from this, he has a century in Sri Lanka, one in Bangladesh and two in UAE. 

The way he moves on the crease against spinners is a masterclass in itself. The Kiwi skipper has the ability to play along the ground all day if required, a skill which has helped him to conquer spinners more often than not. Even in ODIs and T20Is, he has been seen playing spin well on tracking tracks with consistency. 

2. Joe Root

The England captain was under the pump for a couple of years, with people saying that the captaincy has taken the edge from his batting. But, in the recently concluded Test series, Joe Root showed why he is a class act. He scored a 228 in the first Test followed by a 186 in the second innings. During both those innings, something which got highlighted was his ability to play spin bowling. 

Root made his Test debut against India in 2012 in Nagpur. In his first innings, he scored 73 runs against three top-quality spinners on a track which had everything for spin bowling. His record in Asian conditions is a reflection of his ability to play against spinners. In 16 Tests, he has scored 1624 runs with the bat at an average of 54.13, which is better than his career average of 49.39. 

He has got runs in almost every country, but the way he has scored in Asian conditions has been impressive. His ability to sweep regularly makes him a better batter against spin. This is a skill which many England batsmen use against spin and Root has been a master of that.

1. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is regarded as the best batsman in this generation. His records in all the three formats speak volume of his greatness as a batsman. One of the strongest aspects of Kohli’s batting is his ability to play spin bowling. As a batsman growing up in the sub-continent, it was obvious that he learned a lot of skills of playing spin bowling. 

His record in the Asian countries is a testament to the fact that he is an incredible meticulous batter while facing spin bowling. In Tests, the Indian captain averages 64 with the bat while playing matches in the Asian countries. This is much higher than his career average which is 53.41. In addition to this, the man has six double hundreds in India on tracks which turn quite significantly. 

Even while playing spinners overseas, Kohli has shown a lot of resistance against quality spinners. His main approach is about counter-attacking spinners, by picking gaps for singles and twos whenever there is an opportunity. He plans his innings well against spinners and doesn’t often get out to them.