David Lloyd sparks controversy by ranking Abdul Qadir above Anil Kumble as third greatest spinner of all-time

England cricket legend David Lloyd has ignited debates in the cricket world by placing Pakistan’s Abdul Qadir ahead of India's Anil Kumble in his list of all-time greatest spinners. Lloyd said that Qadir, renowned for his rhythmic and artistic leg-spin, is the third greatest spinner the game has ever seen after Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.

England’s former spin all-rounder has described Qadir as an exceptional talent who revived the art of leg-spin bowling when it was on the decline in the 70s. His unique approach included six distinct deliveries in a single over, flipper, and the top spinner, along with various types of googlies that set him apart from the other spin legends of his era, according to Lloyd.

David Lloyd rates Abdul Qadir above Anil Kumble as an all-time spin great

The former umpire said that these qualities forced him to name the former Pakistan spinner ahead of the legendary Indian spinner as the third all-time greatest spinner, despite Qadir’s stats being not that impressive and three times less than the former Team India head coach Kumble.

Furthermore, Lloyd described Kumble’s approach as more straightforward, characterized by pace and bounce, lacking the loop and deception of classic leg-spin, leading him to lean towards the aesthetic and enigmatic qualities of Qadir's leg-spin. However, the former England coach said that Kumble’s powerful actions were also impressive.

David Lloyd said on talkSPORT Cricket: “As an absolute artist, Pakistan's Abdul Qadir was a beautiful bowler. All rhythm, all rhythmical action. And he was bowling when his wrist spin was pretty much dead. So, he is third on my list after Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.”

On being asked if you've got Qadir ahead of Kumble, Lloyd said while explaining his reason: “I have, yeah. Aesthetically, just the mystery of leg spin, Googly's, top spinners, the lot. The stats wouldn't say so.”

Kumble didn't have a loop, which is coming so high: Lloyd

Notably, Kumble has 619 wickets to his name in Test cricket and he is the fourth-highest wicket-taker after Warne, Muralitharan, and Anderson in the longest format of the game, while Qadir has managed only 236 Test wickets in his career.

However, the commentator said that people should not compare the Indian off-spinner R Ashwin with Kumble, as the former spinner is already one of the all-time greatest spinners. Kumble was known for his googly, bigger sidespin, and more variation in flight and on the crease. Ashwin is also one of the spin legends, having already taken 516 Test wickets so far.

Lloyd signed off by saying: “Anil Kumble, quick, tall. A lot of arms, didn't he? And big levers and checking it into the right hander mainly at pace. So, it wasn't a bowler that you'd think that Battis, I can get down the pitch because he's got a loop on it. No, he didn't have a loop, which is coming so high. He's driving it into the pitch.”