5 Best Left-handed batsmen in IPL history
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Left-handed batsmen have ruled the Cricketing world right from the onset. There is something unique about left-handers. Whether it is their lazy elegance, attractive footwork, timing or attacking style of play, left-handers have dominated the Sport although they have been few in numbers.
The IPL too has witnessed some exciting and talented left-handed batsmen who have gone on to dominate the cash-rich event. In this piece, we are about to discuss the performances of the 5 best left-handed batsmen who have played a crucial role for their respective franchises in recent years since the introduction of IPL in 2008. The left-handers mentioned in the list have looked far from effective for their sides with their stroke play, shot selection, aggressive brand of play and ability to play the big shots during critical situations.
These batsmen vary from each other as far as their footwork, technique, temperament and on-field decision making is concerned. These batsmen have been at the forefront in leading their sides to some memorable moments. We take a look at 5 such left-handed batsmen who have dominated one of the most enthralling T20 leagues in World Cricket.
#1 Chris Gayle (Kings XI Punjab)
This player doesn’t need any introduction. Gayle has ruled the sport with his dynamic and aggressive style of play for more than 2 decades. The ‘Universal Boss’ as he is fondly called has been a superstar in limited-overs as well as the shorter formats. The 41-year-old is brutal with his powerful hitting and can blast off any bowling attack on his day.
The left-hander can cut the ball powerfully and can split the gaps with his cracking drives. The former Royal Challengers Bangalore player possesses limited footwork but can clear the boundary easily with his powerful yet effortless timing. The veteran isn’t afraid to play big shots against the spinners during the run of play.
The Jamaican has scored 4772 runs in 131 IPL games so far with an average of 41.14 and a strike rate of 150.11. The flamboyant left-hander has also scored 6 centuries and 31 half-centuries in his IPL career. Gayle’s 175 against Pune Warriors while playing for RCB in 2013 was one of the best T20 innings being played in recent times by any player.
#2 Suresh Raina (Chennai Super Kings)
The left-hander has been a loyal guard of Chennai Super Kings right throughout his playing career. Raina has showcased his class to pick the gaps beautifully with his smart awareness and his ability to read the situation. The 33-year-old rotates the strike cleverly and can accelerate while chasing a big score.
Whether it is punching the ball powerfully on the back foot or the front foot, Raina has showcased fine balance while playing on fast as well as slow wickets. Raina has showcased wonderful balance while playing cover drives and that is an area from where he collects most of his runs. Raina has this knack of picking crucial wickets with his clever right-arm off-spin.
The former India player is a brilliant fielder at point and has taken some sharp catches in that position in the shorter as well as the 50 over format. Raina has scored 5368 runs in 193 IPL games with an average of 33.34 and a strike rate of 137.11. His highest score in the IPL is 100 and has scored 1 century and 38 half-centuries in his IPL career. Raina is known for his all-round stroke play. Raina has played a vital role in Chennai Super Kings 3 title wins.
#3 Gautam Gambhir (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Gambhir showcased his ability to pick the length early and his tendency to play the ball late gave him enough time to play the ball in the gaps. The 39-year-old cut the ball wonderfully in the gaps with his effortless timing and was a fine player of spin right throughout his career.
Gambhir adapted well as per the situation and was able to change his footwork depending on the nature of the wicket. The former Delhi Daredevils captain split the gaps with his fine cover drives. The left-hander scored 4218 runs in 154 IPL games with an average of 31.01 and a strike rate of 123.91.
Gambhir scored 16 half-centuries in his IPL career. Under his captaincy, Kolkata Knight Riders won 2 IPL titles. The former India opener showcased some fine wrist work and used the pace of the bowler to good effect to play the ball in the gaps.
#4 David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
The Pocket-sized powerhouse has destroyed the best bowling attacks with his destructive hitting abilities. The left-hander is known for his attacking style of play and can judge the length quite early on fast wickets. The 34-year-old can pull the ball powerfully and can cut the ball hard in the gaps with his powerful square cuts. Warner’s quick footwork allows him to open his arms and play aerial shots.
The Australian has showcased his ability to punch the ball even it is in the good length area. The Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman can topple any bowling attack with his powerful hitting. Warner has scored 5254 runs in 142 IPL games so far with an average of 42.72 and a strike rate of 141.54. Warner recorded his highest IPL score of 126 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017. The left-hander has scored 4 centuries and 19 half-centuries in his IPL career.
#5 Shikhar Dhawan (Delhi Capitals)
The left-hander was a perfect replacement of Virender Sehwag when he arrived at the test arena with a brilliant 187 against Australia in the 2012-13 test series in India. Dhawan can unsettle any bowling attack with his unorthodox yet destructive hitting. The 34-year-old has hammered the best bowling attacks with his powerful stroke play, with his cracking square cuts and pull shots.
Dhawan doesn’t hesitate to charge the spinners which is why he is the most feared left-hander in the IPL at the moment. The Delhi Capitals opener has scored 5196 runs in 176 IPL games so far with an average of 34.18 and a strike rate of 126.86. He has registered 2 centuries and 23 half-centuries in his IPL career so far. The former Deccan Chargers player recorded his highest score of 106 in last year’s IPL campaign.
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Devang Rajanikant Joshi
(143 Articles Published)