Top 10 Best Swing Bowler in the World 2025 - Ranked

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 dive into the top 10 best swing bowlers in the world in 2025.

Ranking Factor

Identifying the best swing bowlers in the world is no easy task, especially in an era where cricket is played across varying conditions and formats. We rank the best swing bowlers in the world as on the most wickets taken, impact, and performance in crucial matches.

• Most wickets taken: One of the easiest and impactful ways to rank the success of a swing bowler is by analyzing the total number of wickets taken. It plays an important role in ranking the best swing bowlers in the world. We have looked into the wickets taken across all three international formats, which are Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
• Impact: A swing bowler changes the outcome of a match or series. Swing bowlers who consistently shift the momentum in their team's favour. They can create an impact with early breakthroughs or a game-changing spell in the game.
• Performance in Crucial Matches: The best swing bowlers shine brightest on the biggest stages. This is the reason why performance in crucial matches is an essential factor in determining the best swing bowlers in the world. These matches include World Cup fixtures, Test series deciders, playoffs, finals, and high-pressure matches.

List of the Top 10 Best Swing Bowler in the World 2025

In 2025, with the cricketing calendar packed with Test series, ICC tournaments, and T20 leagues around the globe, swing bowling has emerged as a key component for the pacers. Here's the list of the top 10 best swing bowler in the world.

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. The best swing bowler in cricket history is Wasim Akram. In the current generation among active cricketers who have also been playing domestic cricket, the best swing bowler has to be James Anderson.

10. Naseem Shah- 135 Wickets

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 Men in Green at the age of 16.

Since then, he has never turned back. Naseem Shah has become one of the best swing bowlers 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. This is the reason he ranks among Pakistan best swing bowler.

9. Mohammed Siraj- 185 Wickets

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 first in the light after his fiery spell in the 2020-21 BGT series. He was exceptional in his first tour in England and his last tour in South Africa. He was exceptional in the second test match, picking up 6 wickets for 15 runs and dismantling the Proteas batting order.

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 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. This is the reason he has been one of the best swing bowler of India.

8. Matt Henry- 312 Wickets

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.

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.

7. Shaheen Shah Afridi-345 Wickets

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. This is the reason he ranks among the best swing bowlers in the world.

6. Chris Woakes- 385 Wickets

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.

5. Josh Hazlewood- 484 Wickets

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. This is the reason he has been ranked among the best swing bowlers.

4. Kagiso Rabada- 566 Wickets

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 the side's best test bowler 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. This is the reason he ranks among the best swing bowlers in the world.

3. Jasprit Bumrah- 443 Wickets

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 2025. 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. This is the reason he has been one of the best swing bowler of India.

2. Mohammed Shami- 462 Wickets

Mohammed Shami has been one of the most complete fast bowlers in his generation, and he will still be in 2025. 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.

1. Mitchell Starc- 705 Wickets

Mitchell Starc has been Australia's best fast bowler over the years. He has been Australia's best test bowler, 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.

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. His two spells against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 and the final earned him the man of the match in the competition. This showcases his match-winning ability and is regarded as one of the best swing bowler in the world.