Best left-handed ODI XI of all time
A left-handed player, whether a batsman or a bowler, often adds to the variety of a team in cricket. According to some scientists, left-handers are more responsive towards a game.
Considering the fact that most of the bowlers are right-handed, it becomes extremely difficult for a right-handed bowler bowling over the wicket to catch a left-handed batsman in front of the stumps for an LBW (which is the third most common form of dismissal). That's because either the ball pitches outside the line of leg stump, or if it pitches in line, it misses the stumps.
Thus, left-handed batsmen tend to bat freely - which makes them an asset for the team.
Meanwhile, left-handed bowlers are known for generating cumbersome angles and acute movement, especially when bowling to right-handed batsmen.
There have been many great left-handed batsmen as well as bowlers in the history of cricket. In this article, we will try to churn out a playing XI covering the greatest of left-handed bowlers and left-handed batsmen in ODI cricket.
Note: A player making the list as a specialist batsman or a specialist bowler must be a left-hander in his forte. However, in the case of all-rounders, the player must comply with both the criteria: i.e. left-handed in batting as well as in bowling.
#1 Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
Sanath Jayasuriya is one of the very few openers who has a tremendous record in both the departments of batting and bowling. With a freestyle approach, Jayasuriya often decimated the opposition with dazzling strokeplay.
Having played 445 ODI matches, Jayasuriya amassed 13,430 runs at an average of 32.36 and an astonishing strike-rate of 91.20. His records also include 68 fifties and 28 centuries with the highest score being 189.
The left-hander also picked 323 wickets at an average of 36.75 and an economy of 4.78, with the best bowling figures being 6 for 29.
#2 Sourav Ganguly (India)
Sourav Ganguly, fondly known as Dada, has been one of the best batsmen in the history of Indian cricket. An absolute God on the off-side, Ganguly is the second highest run-scorer (ODIs) in the history of Indian cricket.
From 311 ODIs, Ganguly scored 11,363 runs at an average of 41.02 and a strike-rate of 73.70 which also included 72 fifties and 22 centuries - with the highest score being 183.
He left a huge mark on One Day Internationals, leg spinners, and the hearts of fans.