In the third part of our series, we looked at the best pacers in T20Is since the conclusion of World T20 2016. Here, in this part, we will have a glance at the spinners who have helped their respective teams become world beaters during this period.
Rashid Khan (70 wickets)
The Afghan leg-spinner is the highest wicket-taker during this timeframe and that too by a big margin. Rashid has taken 70 wickets in just 34 matches at a sensational average and strike-rate of 10.68 and 10.9 respectively. His economy rate of 5.84 has been quite mean as well and hence, these numbers are testimony of his skills as a bowler. Rashid's main strength is his ability to turn the ball even after bowling at a higher pace as compared to other contemporary bowlers. His googly, in particular, is quite lethal.
Read | Five best middle-order batsmen since T20 World Cup 2016
Yuzvendra Chahal (55 wickets)
The Indian leg-spinner is the second-highest wicket-taker during this period. His 55 scalps have come in a total of 42 matches at an excellent strike-rate of 17.8. Although his average (24.34) and economy rate (8.18) hasn't been that impressive, he compensates that with his ability to take wickets in tough bowling conditions. He doesn't shy away from attacking the batsmen even when they are on the charge. It is this attacking mindset that fetches him wickets on most occasions.
Shadab Khan (48 wickets)
Another leg-spinner follows at third in the list of highest wicket-takers since last T20 World Cup. The Pakistani international has been a one-man army as far as his country’s spin-bowling contingent is concerned. Shadab's 48 wickets have come at an excellent strike-rate of 17.8 and a decent economy rate of 7.01. He gets a good amount of bounce owing to his height and his ability to turn the ball on some occasions keeps the batsmen guessing.
Read | Five best openers since T20 World Cup 2016
Kuldeep Yadav (39 wickets)
He is another Indian wrist-spinner who has been absolutely fabulous since his debut. Kuldeep belongs to the conventional category of spinners who like to bowl slow and give the ball a good amount of time in the air. Moreover, he has taken these wickets in only 75.3 overs at an outstanding average and strike-rate of 13.76 and 11.6 respectively. Batsmen find it hard to read him as his wrist position at the point of delivery is quite deceptive.
Ish Sodhi (37 wickets)
The towering leg-spinner, Ish Sodhi has been a major wicket-taking weapon for New Zealand especially since 2016. He performed pretty well during the five-match T20I series against India earlier this year. He has 37 wickets to his name during this period at a good strike-rate of 19.7. His average (27.86) and strike-rate (8.46) hasn't been that impressive but that is understandable as he mostly bowls on flat decks and within small boundaries at home.
