A.K.S. Satish
Just a couple of seasons ago, India’s spin cupboard looked alarmingly bare. Few slow bowlers were making an impact, and the future seemed uncertain. But the Indian Premier League — long regarded as a fertile breeding ground for talent — has flipped the narrative in Season 18.
Not only have several young spinners stepped up, but seasoned names are also rediscovering their rhythm. Gulf News looks at some of the players easing fans’ concerns with their performances this season:
Yuzvendra Chahal
The 34-year-old leg-spinner may have been out of India’s plans in recent years, but he has shown he still has the tools to trouble batters. His four-wicket haul against Kolkata Knight Riders sealed a thrilling win for Punjab and served as a reminder of his match-winning prowess.
Varun Chakravarthy
The Kolkata Knight Riders’ mystery spinner has become a mainstay in India’s white-ball setup. After a shaky start to his international career, the 33-year-old has turned things around and played a vital role in India’s Champions Trophy triumph.
Kuldeep Yadav
Two wickets shy of the 100-mark in the IPL, Kuldeep is growing in confidence and control. The left-arm wrist-spinner has been dismantling batting line-ups with ease this season, picking up 11 wickets so far and playing a key role in Delhi Capitals’ resurgence.
Sai Kishore
Gujarat Titans’ lanky left-arm spinner has become the go-to man in crunch situations. Despite competing with stars like Rashid Khan, Kishore’s consistency and economy have made him a trusted asset for the 2022 champions.
Digvesh Singh Rathi
The leg-spinner, who has modelled his action on West Indian great Sunil Narine, is making heads turn in his debut season. With nine wickets at an average of 7.43, Rathi is quickly becoming one of Season 18’s standout finds.
Ravi Bishnoi
Known for his pace and a deceptive googly, Bishnoi had a slow start to the season. But the 24-year-old, who last played for India in 2022, has bounced back strongly for Lucknow Super Giants and looks back to his best.
Vipraj Nigam
The 20-year-old all-rounder from Uttar Pradesh is making an impression with both bat and ball. In his debut IPL season, Nigam has kept things tight in the middle overs for Delhi Capitals and chipped in with valuable lower-order runs.
Vignesh Puthur
The Kerala left-arm wrist-spinner has been in and out of the Mumbai Indians XI, but he’s made the most of his opportunities. At 24, Puthur remains a promising prospect for the future.
Zeeshan Ansari
The young leg-spinner from Uttar Pradesh has impressed in his four matches so far, particularly against Delhi Capitals. Trusted by Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Pat Cummins, Ansari is also benefitting from the wisdom of Muttiah Muralitharan in the team dugout.
Suyash Sharma
After a breakout year in 2023, Suyash struggled last season. But the RCB leggie has bounced back with impact performances in 2025, adding much-needed depth to the side’s bowling attack.
Washington Sundar
There was a time when off-spinners dominated T20s — now, they’re nearly extinct. But Washington Sundar is one of the few still flying the flag. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder continues to quietly contribute in a format that hasn’t always favoured his style.