Top 10 Best Swing Bowler in the World (2025 Updated Rankings)

Cricket has evolved over the years, and the modern rules of cricket have shifted more in favour of the batters. However, swing bowling continues to be one of the most fascinating and effective skills in a fast bowler's armoury. Whether it’s the red ball in Test cricket or the white ball in limited-overs formats, the ability to swing the ball through the air and deceive batters remains a timeless art.

Modern-day swing bowlers are capable of troubling even the most technically sound batters on any surface. These bowlers are not just wicket-takers; they are game-changers, often changing the momentum of the game with a magical spell of controlled seam and exceptional movement off the pitch or in the air. These bowlers have not only dominated the record books but also left lasting impressions with their mastery of swing. In this article, we will find an answer to who is the best swing bowler in the world by diving into the top 10 best swing bowlers in the world and

Top 10 Best Swing Bowler in the World - Updated List

As modern cricket is evolving with the dashing batters, there are swing bowlers who have gained popularity in recent years and have been dominating the batsmen with the ability to swing the ball both ways. Here is the list of the top 10 best swing bowler in the world 2025.

Who is the Best Swing Bowler in the World?

Over the years, swing bowling has been an art. There have been several bowlers who have created trouble for the batters with their deceptive swing bowling and off-the-pitch movement as well. From the likes of the legends Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, to the modern-day greats Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc. These bowlers have created an impact in the game of cricket with their swing bowling at a good pace. Here is the answer who is the best swing bowler in the world.

10. Naseem Shah- 135 Wickets

Young pacer Naseem Shah has been one of the best finds for Pakistan in the current squad. His ability to swing the ball at a good pace makes him one of the most lethal bowlers on the side. He combines the aggression of raw pace with the fine controlled swing and generates off-the-pitch movement as well. The young pacer made his debut for the Pakistan cricket team at the age of 16.

Since then, he has never turned back. Naseem Shah has become one of the best swing bowler that the country has ever produced. At the age of 16, he became the youngest player to take a Test hat-trick. He earned this milestone against Bangladesh. Naseem excels at both conventional swing with the new ball and reverse swing with the old ball. He has picked 135 wickets for Pakistan in just 78 matches with a decent average and economy rate. This is the reason he ranks among Pakistan's best swing bowler.

Career Highlights & Achievements

• He became the youngest fast bowler to take a Test hat-trick at age 16.

• He is the second youngest player to take five wickets in an innings.

• Lauded for accuracy, pace, and temperament under pressure.

9. Mohammed Siraj- 198 Wickets

Indian Pacer Mohammed Siraj has been one of the best red-ball bowlers for India in modern-day cricket. He with the new ball has been lethal in red ball cricket, especially in SENA countries. He came into the limelight after his fiery spell in the 2020-21 BGT series. He was exceptional in his first tour in England and his tour to South Africa as well. Siraj brings an energetic, attacking style of swing bowling. He is particularly effective with the new ball, often getting it to shape away from the right-handers.

The Hyderabad-born pacer has firmly established himself as one of the best swing bowlers in the world, especially in red-ball cricket. With a natural ability to move the ball off the seam and through the air. Siraj has also shown his worth in white ball cricket in recent years and was one of the top bowlers in ODIs. He has played 96 international matches, where he has taken 185 wickets with a decent average and economy rate. This is the reason he has been one of the best swing bowler in India.

Career Highlights & Achievements

• He was the No. 1 ICC ODI bowler in late 2023.

• He performed exceptionally well in the Asia Cup 2023 Final, where he took 6/21 vs Sri Lanka, ending with a match-winning spell.

• He is known for aggression, swing, and seam on overseas tours.

• He is one of the fastest Indian bowlers to 50 ODI wickets.

8. Shaheen Shah Afridi-345 Wickets

Pakistani quick bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been one of the best bowlers for Pakistan with the new ball. He has been one of the finest left-arm seamers in modern-day cricket. Though he has been criticised a lot for his line and lengths in ODIs and Tests. But he is still young and has a scope for learning. Shaheen has been lethal with the new ball.

The world cricket will never forget his inswing yorker in the first ball of the T20 World Cup 2021 against India, to get rid of Rohit Sharma will be one of the finest spells in his career. His ability to move the ball both ways, especially the late inswinger that traps right-handers LBW or shatters their stumps. He has been lethal with his inswings and has been one of the best swing bowler in the world. He has so far picked 345 wickets in his 174 international matches and has cemented his place in the Pakistan bowling lineup.

Career Highlights & Achievements

• ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2021.

• He is the fastest Pakistani bowler to 100 ODI wickets.

• He was the star performer in the 2021 T20 World Cup – match-winning spells vs. India and New Zealand.

• Key architect of Pakistan’s run to the 2022 T20 WC Final.

7. Matt Henry- 315 Wickets

Kiwi pacer Matt Henry has been the best fast bowler for New Zealand in recent years. He has been exceptional with his new ball bowling and with his reverse swinging yorkers at the death. He has been crucial for the Kiwis across formats, with him being the most experienced pacer in the squad currently. Henry was crucial for the Black Caps, helping them to reach the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. But eventually, he could not feature in the final due to an injury. He was the main bowler who caused trouble to the Indian team during the semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2019.

Matt Henry has been known for his consistent accuracy, swing, and ability to extract bounce from even the flattest surfaces. Henry has been a consistent performer, particularly in swinging and seaming conditions, where his control and discipline make him a lethal weapon. He showcased his talent in the subcontinent as well against India. His deceptive late swing created trouble for the batters. This is the reason he has been ranked in the list of best swing bowler in the world.

Career Highlights & Achievements

• He has been a key contributor to New Zealand's runner-up finishes in the 2015 & 2019 World Cups.

• He has the career-best ODI spell of 7/23, which is among the top 5 best.

• He is known to regularly break top orders with the new ball.

• He can swing the ball both ways with control.

• Among the top 10 ODI wicket-takers since 2015.

6. Chris Woakes- 392 Wickets

English all-rounder Chris Woakes is one of England's greatest bowlers in modern-day cricket. He is one of the most trusted swing bowlers and is accurate in the world. He is nicknamed "Wizard" as he makes conditions difficult for the batsmen with his seam and swing issues. He has represented England in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is and has also been part of the victorious teams of the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup.

He continues to be one of the best swing bowlers in the world, especially in Tests and ODIs played at home. Woakes is a master of conventional swing, particularly with the new ball in overcast or humid conditions. His high-arm action, seam presentation, and upright wrist position allow him to move the ball both ways—outswingers that shape away from the right-hander and sharp inswingers that target the stumps or pads. He has good international stats, where he played over 200 matches and has taken 385 wickets with a decent economy rate in all three formats of the game.

Career Highlights & Achievements

• Player of the Match – 2019 World Cup semi-final vs. Australia.

• 2019 & 2022 ICC ODI and T20 World Cup Champion with England.

• He has taken 150+ wickets and scored 1000+ runs in Tests, which is a rare English seam-bowling all-rounder.

• He has the best strike rate among English bowlers in T20Is (min. 25 wickets).

5. Mohammed Shami- 462 Wickets

Indian quick bowler Mohammed Shami has been one of the most complete fast bowlers in his generation, and he will leave his legacy behind. He is an accomplished swing bowler in both the ODI and Test formats of the game. Shami has been known for his upright seam, exceptional accuracy, and the ability to generate both conventional swing and reverse swing. Shami has become crucial for the team India's success in all formats.

In the 2019 World Cup, he claimed a brilliant hat-trick and became the second Indian to do so on the world stage. Shami's biggest strength lies in his ability to extract late seam and swing movement at pace. His upright seam position allows the ball to deviate both in the air and off the pitch, troubling even the best batters. With the new ball, he often moves it away from right-handers; with the old ball, he brings it in sharply, often reversing it at speeds over 140 km/h. He has been the highest wicket-taker in the ODI World Cup for India. This is the reason he has been the best swing bowler in India.

Career Highlights & Achievements

• Leading wicket-taker in the ICC World Cup 2023 (24 wickets in just 7 matches).

• Holds record for best World Cup bowling figures by an Indian (7/57).

• He is known for reverse swing and seam control in Test and ODIs.

• He is among the few Indian pacers with 200+ wickets in both Tests and ODIs.

4. Josh Hazlewood- 500 Wickets

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has been one of the most disciplined bowlers in world cricket. He has often been compared to the legendary Glenn McGrath for his disciplined line and length. He generates good bounce and off-the-pitch movement, which helps him get wickets regularly. His nagging length allows him to relentlessly knock the off-stump line, forcing batsmen into errors.

Hazlewood has been better known for reverse swing. He keeps on building pressure through dot balls, often drawing loose shots as batsmen try to break the shackles. His economy rate, one of the best among fast bowlers in Test cricket. He has been lethal with the pink ball as well and in limited-overs formats for the Aussies. He has played a crucial part in RCB winning the first IPL Title in 2025. He has picked 486 wickets in his international career with a less than 8 economy rate across the three formats. This is the reason he has been ranked among the best swing bowlers.

Career Highlights & Achievements

• He is a member of Australia’s winning squads in:

  • 2015 & 2023 ICC ODI World Cups

  • 2021 ICC T20 World Cup

  • 2023 ICC World Test Championship Final

• He is known for immaculate line and length – "Australian Glenn McGrath 2.0".

• Top 10 ICC Test Bowling Rankings for over 7 years.

• One of the most economical white-ball bowlers globally.

3. Kagiso Rabada- 575 Wickets

South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been the spearhead of South Africa’s bowling attack. The 6 ft 3 inches fast bowler from the Rainbow Nation has been known for his fiery pace and swing. He has been known as one of the devastating and furious fast bowlers in the current period. Rabada's pace, accuracy, and ferocious bouncers are something celebrated by many. He has been one of the best bowlers in the world over the years.

Rabada has the most five-wicket hauls as a pacer among active players in the traditional format of the game. He has a combination of pace with a late swing that makes it difficult for the batters to play him, especially in red ball cricket. Rabada is skilled in using late inswing with the new ball and gets the ball to reverse, especially at the death, to pick up crucial wickets. He has taken 575 wickets in his international career, where he has played more than 200+ matches. This is the reason he ranks among the best swing bowlers in the world.

Career Highlights & Achievements

• He is the fastest South African to 100 and 200 Test wickets.

• ICC Test Player of the Year 2018.

• Youngest South African to take 10 wickets in a Test (vs. England).

• First South African bowler with 300+ Test wickets before age 30.

• Consistently ranked in ICC Top 5 Test bowlers since 2017.

2. Jasprit Bumrah- 455 Wickets

Yorker King Jasprit Bumrah has been the best fast bowler across formats of this generation. He has risen as one of the best Test bowlers and has been exceptional. The pacer won the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year title after taking 71 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 14.92, leading the global rankings. Bumrah's performance under pressure distinguishes him from other bowlers. He was the lone warrior for India in the bowling department against the Aussies in the BGT 2024-25 season.

Bumrah, in recent years, has polished his swing bowling to a level that makes him one of the best swing bowlers in the world and the best yorker bowler in the world. While his primary strength has always been accuracy and deception, Bumrah’s evolution into a bowler who can swing the new ball and reverse it at high pace makes him a complete fast-bowling package. With the red ball, he swings it conventionally in swinging conditions like England and South Africa, often beating the bat with subtle seam movement. He has taken 443 wickets in his international career of 204 international matches with one of the best economy rates. This is the reason he has been one of the best swing bowler in India.

Career Highlights & Achievements

• He is the first Asian bowler to take 5-wicket hauls in South Africa, England, and Australia in the same calendar year (2018).

• ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year multiple times.

• Known for deadly yorkers and consistent death overs bowling.

• ICC Test Cricketer of the Year 2024.

1. Mitchell Starc- 725 Wickets

Mitchell Starc has been Australia's best fast bowler over the years. He has been one of the best test bowlers in the world, known for his exceptional pace, lethal swing, and amazing inswing yorkers. The speedster has been crucial for the Kangaroos in various formats of the game. He is currently the leading wicket-taker among active cricketers in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup and third among all-time. He is seven wickets away from surpassing the great Glenn McGrath.

Australian frontline pacer Mitchell Starc has been performing exceptionally in the IPL as well. He creates an angle that makes problems for some of the greatest batters to deal with, and he remains such a threat with both the new ball and the old ball. He has played over 250+ international matches, where he has taken 710 wickets and has always been a key player in the crucial matches. This showcases his match-winning ability and is regarded as one of the best swing bowler in the world.

Career Highlights & Achievements

• 2015 & 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup winner with Australia.

• Player of the Tournament – ICC World Cup 2015 (22 wickets).

• He is the fastest bowler to 150 ODI wickets (77 matches).

• He is one of the few left-arm pacers with 380+ Test wickets.

• Known for lethal inswinging yorkers at high pace.

Who is the Best Swing Bowler in the World of All Time?

James Anderson is the best swing bowler in the world of all time, without any doubt. He has played international cricket for a long period of 22 years, and he retired from international cricket in 2024. He has played 188 test matches, where he took 704 wickets and stands at number three for taking the most wickets in test cricket. He is considered to be the GOAT of test cricket and one of the best bowlers of the current generation. He can swing the ball in both directions and deceive the batsman very easily, and has taken a lot of wickets. He had an integral part of the England Test cricket team for many years, where he played the second-most number of matches and showed his skills to the fullest. He has retired from international cricket but has left a legacy behind him to always remember.

Best Swing Bowler in India

The best swing bowler in India is none other than the Swing King, Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He is known for his deceptive swing bowling, where he has the ability to swing the ball in both ways. He has played more than 200+ international matches for India across the three formats of the game, where he has taken more than 250+ wickets with an economy rate below 7 in all three formats. He has been a very successful swing bowler for India who could change the game with his bowling and trouble the batsmen a lot.

He has been equally impressive in non-swing conditions, like in India, as compared to the English conditions, where the ball swings a lot. He has troubled many great batsmen in his career, where he took the iconic wicket of Sachin Tendulkar during his Ranji debut, and his International debut was remarkable, where he stunned Pakistani openers with his swing. He might have played for a longer duration, but he has been injury-prone, which has kept him out of international cricket.

How We Analyze the Best Swing Bowler in the World

Identifying the best swing bowlers in the world is not an easy task, especially in an era where cricket is played across varying conditions and formats. We have ranked the best swing bowlers in the world based on some major facts, which include the following:

• Swing Ability (Conventional & Reverse): The Swing ability of the player tells that the player is capable of swinging the ball both ways, in-swing and out-swing, which will make it difficult for the batsman to play the ball. The player should also have control over reverse swing in the subcontinent or dry conditions, which is not easily read by the batsman.
• Average Swing Movement: Average swing movement helps in understanding the ability of the player to swing the ball in measured deviation (in degrees or cm) from the expected path, which makes it hard for the batsman to play against it.
• Bowling Average in Swing-Friendly Conditions: The bowling average in swing-friendly conditions tells the performance of the player in bowling well and taking wickets in countries like England, New Zealand, and South Africa, where the conditions of play is more favorable to the bowlers and can get extra help from the pitch in swinging the ball.
• Wickets with the New Ball: The wickets taken by the bowler with the new ball depict the success rate of the bowler in early overs, where swing is most effective, and how well the bowler can pick the wickets and cause trouble to the batsman.
• Economy Rate in Powerplays (ODIs/T20s): The economy rate of the bowler in powerplays shows the skills of the bowler to hold the ball well and swing it properly without leaking many runs during the powerplay, where fielding restrictions are in favor of the batsman. This shows the ability to contain runs while swinging the ball.