Ravi Shastri, the former Indian cricketer and head coach, recently made waves with his pick of the top-three Indian spinners of all time, excluding some modern greats like Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Harbhajan Singh. Currently in Australia for commentary duties during the ongoing five-match Test series between India and Australia, Shastri was asked to name his top-three spinners during a Fox Sports show.
While Ashwin, who has taken 536 wickets in 105 Tests, and Jadeja, with 319 wickets in 77 Tests, are widely regarded as two of India’s best-ever spinners, Shastri’s choices harked back to a different era. He selected Bishan Singh Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna, and Anil Kumble as his top three, citing his admiration for their unique skills and their impact on the game.
Explaining his choice of Kumble, Ravi Shastri said, “I’ll say the one I’ve seen the latest. That’s why I put him at No. 3. He was lethal, especially in our conditions. He was relentless. It was not just bowling in India; he would bowl his heart out wherever he played across the globe.”
ALSO READ: Liam Livingstone Ready For Fresh IPL Chapter With Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Anil Kumble’s 619 Test wickets make him India’s highest wicket-taker in the format, and his ability to adapt to various conditions was one of his standout qualities. Ravi Shastri then moved on to Prasanna, who he saw towards the end of his career.
“The deception that he had—he could make the ball drop, hold it back at any stage—was amazing,” Ravi Shastri explained. He highlighted Prasanna’s “floater” delivery, which would come back off the pitch to deceive batters, noting how effective it was, even in the nets, where Prasanna frequently got the top players out.
WATCH – Mohammed Siraj Enjoys Intense Banter With Marnus Labuschagne In Perth
Finally, Shastri picked Bishan Bedi as his No. 1 spinner, calling him “poetry in motion” and praising his remarkable bowling action. Bedi, a key figure for India in the 1970s, took 266 wickets in 67 Tests, and his graceful left-arm orthodox spin left a lasting legacy on the game. Shastri’s picks reflected his deep respect for these legendary spinners, whose careers set the standard for Indian bowling long before the likes of Ashwin and Jadeja made their mark.
