Spin bowling is expected to play a major role in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with Pakistan’s historically dry and abrasive pitches assisting slow bowlers with grip, turn, and variable bounce. Despite this, Pakistan has surprisingly included only one senior spinner in their squad.
With spin likely to be a decisive factor, here are five spinners who could have a major impact in the tournament.
1. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
🌀 Spin Type: Right-arm leg-spin (with a lethal googly)
🎯 Best Bowling: 7/18 vs. West Indies (2017)
🔥 ODI Wickets: 198 in 111 matches @ 19.50
Recent Form in ODIs:
✅ 3/38 vs. Zimbabwe (Dec 2024)
✅ 1/40 vs. Bangladesh (Nov 2024)
✅ 2/32 vs. Bangladesh (Nov 2024)
💡 Why He’s Key: Rashid Khan’s rapid-arm action and deceptive variations make him Afghanistan’s premier match-winner. Having extensive PSL experience, he knows how to exploit Pakistan’s spin-friendly conditions, making him a vital asset.
2. Mitchell Santner (New Zealand)
🌀 Spin Type: Left-arm orthodox
🎯 Best Bowling: 5/50 vs. Australia (2016)
🔥 ODI Wickets: 117 in 113 matches @ 36.45
Recent Form in ODIs:
✅ 2/20 vs. Pakistan (Feb 2025)
❌ 0/62 vs. South Africa (Feb 2025)
✅ 3/41 vs. Pakistan (Feb 2025)
💡 Why He’s Key: New Zealand’s skipper Santner brings control and tactical awareness. His ability to vary pace and extract turn while maintaining an economical line makes him a valuable weapon, particularly in the middle overs.
3. Kuldeep Yadav (India)
🌀 Spin Type: Left-arm wrist-spin (Chinaman)
🎯 Best Bowling: 6/25 vs. England (2018)
🔥 ODI Wickets: 174 in 108 matches @ 26.22
Recent Form in ODIs:
✅ 1/38 vs. England (Feb 2025)
✅ 1/53 vs. England (Feb 2025)
✅ 1/36 vs. Sri Lanka (Aug 2024)
💡 Why He’s Key: Kuldeep’s left-arm wrist-spin provides India an attacking edge in the middle overs. His ability to trick batters with turn and flight makes him a crucial part of India’s bowling strategy in conditions where spinners thrive.
4. Adam Zampa (Australia)
🌀 Spin Type: Right-arm leg-spin
🎯 Best Bowling: 4/38 vs. New Zealand (2020)
🔥 ODI Wickets: 181 in 108 matches @ 28.56
Recent Form in ODIs:
✅ 1/47 vs. Sri Lanka (Feb 2025)
❌ 0/32 vs. Sri Lanka (Feb 2025)
❌ 0/10 vs. Pakistan (Nov 2024)
💡 Why He’s Key: A key figure in Australia’s 2023 ODI World Cup-winning campaign, Zampa’s quick arm action and well-disguised googly make him effective against both right- and left-handed batters. His ability to handle pressure makes him a crucial bowler for Australia.
5. Adil Rashid (England)
🌀 Spin Type: Right-arm leg-spin
🎯 Best Bowling: 5/27 vs. West Indies (2019)
🔥 ODI Wickets: 199 in 138 matches @ 32.13
Recent Form in ODIs:
✅ 4/64 vs. India (Feb 2025)
❌ 1/78 vs. India (Feb 2025)
✅ 2/49 vs. India (Feb 2025)
💡 Why He’s Key: One of the most in-form spinners, Adil Rashid’s ability to extract sharp turn and control makes him a key weapon for England. His experience in subcontinent conditions and past ICC tournament success make him a crucial figure for England’s bowling attack.
With Pakistan’s spin-friendly conditions, these bowlers are set to be game-changers in Champions Trophy 2025. Teams with strong spinners will likely gain an edge, especially in the middle overs, where batters struggle to accelerate.
Who do you think will be the most impactful spinner in this tournament?
