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In honor of International Left handers Day on Tuesday (August 13), former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer took to social media to reveal his all-time left-handers XI for both Test and ODI cricket.
Legendary left-handers: Wasim Jaffer’s ultimate XI
Jaffer, known for his sharp cricketing insights, shared the list with the caption, “A day late but here’s my Test and ODI left-handers XI,” paying tribute to the legendary southpaws who have left an indelible mark on the sport.
Jaffer’s selections featured some of the most iconic left-handed cricketers in the history of the game. His teams were a blend of players who have not only dominated the records but have also shaped the course of cricket with their unique styles and exceptional performances. These XI’s are a testament to the skill and influence of left-handers in cricket’s rich history.
All time left-handers’ Test XI:
- Matthew Hayden (Australia): Hayden was known not only for his power but also for his mental toughness and ability to thrive in challenging conditions. His famous innings of 380 against Zimbabwe in 2003 was then the highest individual Test score by an Australian, showcasing his penchant for big knocks.
- Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka): Sangakkara was not just a prolific run-scorer but also a brilliant wicketkeeper and captain. His 11 double centuries in Tests are second only to Sir Donald Bradman, highlighting his capacity to play long innings.
- Brian Lara (West Indies): Lara’s batting was marked by elegance and an ability to score big runs under pressure. His unbeaten 153 against Australia in 1999 is widely regarded as one of the greatest Test innings ever, demonstrating his match-winning capabilities.
- Graeme Pollock (South Africa): Pollock’s career was cut short by South Africa’s exclusion from international cricket due to apartheid, but his impact in the matches he played was profound. His average of 60.97 is the second-highest in Test history for any player with over 20 innings, underscoring his consistency and class.
- Allan Border (Australia) – Captain: Border is credited with resurrecting Australian cricket during the 1980s. He was known for his gritty, determined batting and led Australia to their first World Cup title in 1987, along with a famous Ashes victory in 1989.
- Sir Garfield Sobers (West Indies): Sobers was a cricketer with almost no weakness, capable of excelling with bat, ball, and in the field. His versatility as a bowler allowed him to be both a destructive pace option and a cunning left-arm spinner.
- Adam Gilchrist (Australia) – Wicketkeeper: Gilchrist revolutionized the role of a wicketkeeper-batsman with his aggressive batting. His ability to change the course of a game within a session made him one of the most feared lower-order batsmen in Test history.
- Wasim Akram (Pakistan): Akram is often considered the greatest left-arm fast bowler of all time. His mastery of reverse swing and ability to bowl with pace and accuracy made him lethal in all conditions. Akram’s contribution as a lower-order batsman, where he scored around 3,000 with three centuries, added to his value.
- Zaheer Khan (India): Zaheer was India’s premier fast bowler for much of his career, known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and deliver in crucial matches. His performance in the 2011 World Cup was instrumental in India’s triumph.
- Mitchell Johnson (Australia): Johnson’s express pace and intimidating bowling were key features of his career. His devastating spells during the 2013-14 Ashes series, where he took 37 wickets, are still remembered as one of the most dominant performances by a fast bowler.
- Kuldeep Yadav (India): Yadav is one of the few left-arm wrist spinners in cricket, and his ability to turn the ball both ways makes him a unique threat. His hat-tricks in ODIs and five-wicket hauls in Tests demonstrate his potential to be a match-winner.
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All time left-handers’ ODI XI:
- Matthew Hayden (Australia): Hayden was a dominant force in ODIs, with his aggressive batting at the top of the order helping Australia to multiple successes, including the 2007 World Cup where he was the leading run-scorer.
- Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka): Jayasuriya changed the role of an opener in ODIs with his explosive batting during the 1996 World Cup. His all-around abilities, with both bat and ball, made him a pivotal figure in Sri Lanka’s rise in world cricket.
- Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka): Sangakkara’s ODI career was equally impressive, particularly in the later stages where he scored four consecutive centuries in the 2015 World Cup, leading Sri Lanka to the knockout stages.
- Brian Lara (West Indies): Lara’s ODI career was marked by his ability to play match-winning innings. His 153* against Pakistan in 2005 is considered one of the finest chases in ODI history.
- Yuvraj Singh (India): Yuvraj was the hero of India’s 2011 World Cup win, where he was named Player of the Tournament for his all-round brilliance. His ability to hit sixes at will and provide crucial breakthroughs with the ball made him one of the most valuable ODI players.
- Michael Bevan (Australia): Bevan was known as the ‘finisher’ in ODIs, with his ability to guide Australia to victory from precarious situations. His unbeaten 78 against West Indies in 1996, where he led Australia to a one-wicket win, is one of the most iconic moments in ODI cricket.
- Lance Klusener (South Africa): Klusener was a destructive lower-order batsman and a handy bowler. His performance in the 1999 World Cup, where he almost single-handedly took South Africa to the final, remains legendary.
- Wasim Akram (Pakistan): In ODIs, Akram was not just a lethal bowler but also a powerful hitter lower down the order, capable of changing the game with the bat as well.
- Zaheer Khan (India): Zaheer was a key component of India’s bowling attack in ODIs, particularly in the 2011 World Cup where he finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker, playing a vital role in India’s title win.
- Mitchell Starc (Australia): Starc’s fast, swinging deliveries have made him one of the most dangerous ODI bowlers. His performances in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, where he was the highest wicket-taker in both tournaments, underline his match-winning capabilities.
- Kuldeep Yadav (India): Yadav’s wrist-spin has brought a new dimension to India’s bowling attack in ODIs, with his ability to deceive batsmen with turn and flight making him a potent weapon, particularly in the middle overs.
A day late but here's my Test and ODI left handers XI. What's yours? #LeftHandersDay pic.twitter.com/4BjGkNJ5Jh
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 14, 2024
Sourav Ganguly’s omission from the XI
Despite being one of India’s finest left-handed batters and a successful captain, Sourav Ganguly did not make it to Jaffer’s XI in either format. Ganguly’s ODI records are impressive, with 11,363 runs at an average of 41.02, including 22 centuries. In Tests, he accumulated 7,212 runs at an average of 42.17 with 16 centuries.
As a captain, he transformed Indian cricket, instilling a fighting spirit that led to several overseas victories. However, the stiff competition and the inclusion of multi-faceted players like Sir Garfield Sobers and Yuvraj Singh, who offered additional bowling options, might have influenced his exclusion. Additionally, in the context of Jaffer’s selected XI, players like Lara, Sangakkara, and Hayden were prioritized for their consistent and game-changing performances across various conditions and eras.
