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Left-handers, when compared to the right-handers, are said to have improved and faster reflexes. As per researches at the Australian National University, the left-handers are better at processing the information in the brain which essentially hands them an extra fraction of seconds while reacting to a particular situation. This very case applies to cricket as well.
However, the above-mentioned scientific theory isn't the only thing that benefits the left-handers in sports such as cricket. The other quintessential thing that puts left-handers in a favoured place is the dynamics of the game. The fact that most of the cricketers are right-handers, it becomes considerably challenging for them to face the left-handers.
Right-handed bowlers find it difficult to adjust their lines against the left-handed batsmen whereas the right-handed batsmen find it cumbersome to handle the unrealistic angles produced by the left-arm bowlers. Hence, in cricket, a left-hander is always a valuable asset for the team irrespective of the formats.
IPL has been no different. World's most sought-after T20 league - Indian Premier League- have had the opportunity to witness some of the best left-handers in the history of T20 cricket. The 12th season of IPL - which is set to get underway from 23rd of March with a feast of an encounter between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore at the iconic Cheapuk Stadium in Chennai - will be witnessing quite a few exciting left-handed prospects.
Thus, let us churn out a competitive playing XI starring some of the best left-handed batsmen and bowlers who will be featuring in the upcoming edition of IPL.
Criteria: The players considered here must be left-handed in their area of expertise. In the case of specialist all-rounders, the players must be left-handed in bowling as well as in batting.
#1 David Warner (C) (SRH)
David Warner, the southpaw from Australia, has been one of the best openers for Australia across all the formats, especially in T20Is and ODIs. With a strong batting hand and a range of shots up his sleeve, Warner has been exceptionally brilliant in the T20 leagues as well. His IPL records are a testimony to it.
However, owing to an unfortunate ball tampering incident last year, Warner along with Smith was banned for a year by Cricket Australia. In this regard, BCCI too banned them from the 11th edition of IPL. Nevertheless, after a one-year hiatus, Warner will be making his way back to the camp of SRH. Thus, in the 12th season of IPL, the explosive left-handed batsman will hope to add onto his stately IPL records.
#2 Nicholas Pooran (KXIP)
Nicholas Pooran, a young left-handed batting prospect from Trinidad, has been on a run-making spree in recent times. Having exceptional power-hitting skills, Pooran has become a preferred choice in all the T20 leagues the world over. His impressive T20 numbers are just a proof of his batting exploits.
The Trinidadian batsman showcased his talent in the 2018 season of T10 League where he happened to be the highest run-scorer in the league. Having featured in nine games, Nicholas notched-up 324 runs at an astonishing average of 54.00 and an overpowering strike-rate of 245.45. He continued his brilliant form in the year 2019 while becoming the fourth highest run-getter in the recently concluded BPL 2019. Hence, Pooran will look to carry forward the same in IPL 2019 as well.
#3 Suresh Raina (CSK)
Often known as Mr. IPL, Suresh Raina has by far been one of the greatest batsmen in the history of IPL. His majestic IPL stats convey the same. Currently, the highest run-scorer in the history of IPL, Suresh Raina, will be fighting it out against Virat Kohli in the upcoming edition of IPL to upheld his position of highest run-getter in the history of IPL.
The Ghaziabad-born batsman has been a part of 176 IPL games. From these games, Raina has amassed 4985 runs at a decent average of 34.38 and a respectable strike-rate of 138.43. With exceptional numbers up his sleeve, the left-hander will be hoping to perform on the same lines in the upcoming edition of IPL.
#4 Rishabh Pant (WK) (DC)
Rishabh Pant, India's favoured wicket-keeping option after MS Dhoni, had an exceptional tourney in the previous edition of IPL. His excellent performances in IPL 2018 paved the way for his re-entry to the international circuit which he utilized to a great extent.
Among the Indian batsmen, Pant happened to be the highest run-scorer in IPL 2018. Meanwhile, among all the batsmen, he bagged the second place on the list of most runs in IPL 2018.
Having starred in 14 IPL games, the Delhi-based wicket-keeper batsman garnered 684 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 52.61 and an exceptional strike-rate of 173.60. Pant will look to perform in IPL 2019 while guiding his team to first-ever IPL title.
#5 Nitish Rana (KKR)
Nitish Rana, a left-handed batting prodigy from Delhi, had a below-par IPL in 2018 as he failed to live up the expectations of KKR. Nonetheless, he applied decently in KKR's middle-order and contributed to the number of opportunities that he got.
Rana has featured in 32 IPL games thus far. In these games, Nitish amassed 741 runs at an average of 26.46 and a decent strike-rate of 129.77. The KKR batsman will look to step up his game in the upcoming edition of IPL in a bid to contribute more to KKR's middle-order.
#6 Krunal Pandya (MI)
Kunal Pandya has evolved to become one of the most preferred all-rounders for Mumbai Indians. Pandya's best season happened to be IPL 2017 where his all-round performance helped MI to win their third IPL title. He had a decent run in IPL 2018 as well.
The all-rounder from Baroda has played 39 IPL games. From these games, Pandya has notched-up 709 runs at an average of 29.50 and an outstanding average of 153.91. With the ball, Krunal has scalped 28 wickets at an average of 28.32, strike-rate of 23.86, and an economy of 7.12.
#7 Ravindra Jadeja (CSK)
Ravindra Jadeja, the talented all-rounder from Saurashtra, has for long been one of the best all-rounders in the history of IPL. Jadeja's contribution, with both the bat and the ball, has been quite productive for CSK over the passage of the last few years. In the previous edition of IPL, Jadeja shone with the ball. However, he had a mediocre season with the bat.
Jadeja has had an immense amount of IPL experience up his sleeve. Having been part of 154 IPL games, the Saurashtra all-rounder has amassed 1821 runs at an average of 23.65 and a strike-rate of 122.79. In addition to that, he has grabbed 93 wickets at an average of 30.20, strike-rate of 23.34, and an economy of 7.76. Thus, he happens to be a perfect addition in this playing XI.
#8 Sam Curran (KXIP)
Sam Curran, a young English bowling all-rounder, will be one of the few players to watch out for in the upcoming edition of IPL. After his exceptional performances in the Test series against India, Curran became a much-hyped hot property in the 2019 IPL Auction. Much so, Sam acquired a hefty deal of INR 7.2 Crore with KXIP. His excellent T20 records make this deal justifiable.
In his journey of 47 T20 games, the Englishman has scalped 42 wickets at an average of 28.47, strike-rate of 20.70, and an economy of 8.24. Apart from stately numbers with the ball, he has decent numbers with the bat as well. From these games, Curran has scored 478 runs at a strike-rate just below 120. Hence, with decent numbers up his sleeve, he will look to perform to his fullest in his maiden IPL season.
#9 Kuldeep Yadav (KKR)
Kuldeep Yadav, a chinaman prodigy from UP, is unquestionably India's best spin bowler at the moment. With an ability to deceive the batsmen in the air, Kuldeep has gained a lot of prominence over the last few months, especially in the limited-over formats of the game.
Besides being a champion spinner for the Indian team, he has been a vital cog in the KKR camp as well. With KKR, Kuldeep has earned a decent amount of IPL exposure. Having featured in 31 IPL games, the Kanpur-born spinner has taken 35 wickets at an average of 24.51, strike-rate of 17.89, and an economy of 8.22. He was also the highest wicket-taker (17) for Kolkata in the previous edition of IPL. Thus, Kuldeep will look continue his exceptional form in the coming season as well.
#10 Trent Boult (DC)
Trent Boult, a fiery left-arm bowler from New Zealand, is currently among the best left-arm fast bowlers in the world. His capability to generate exceptional pace and a decent amount of swing has put him in the league of the most dreadful bowlers at the moment. Moreover, his dynamic nature on the field adds to his strengths.
Moreover, the New Zealander has had a decent run in his IPL tourney as well. With him being a part of 28 IPL games, Boult has scalped 33 wickets at an average of 29.00, strike-rate of 19.73, and an economy of 8.82. On the same lines, he had an exceptional season in the year 2018 where he happened to be the highest wicket-taker (18) for Delhi Capitals. Hence, Boult will hope to maintain the same form in the upcoming edition of IPL as well.
#11 Khaleel Ahmed (SRH)
Khaleel Ahmed, a quality left-arm pacer from the Tonk city of Rajasthan, has been in the schemes of the Indian team for a good time now. His national call-up came upon the base of his impressive performances in domestic cricket. Khaleel didn't disappoint us as he grabbed three wickets in his debut game against Hong Kong.
Khaleel possesses an impressive T20 record. Having played 22 T20s thus far, the Rajasthani boy has grabbed 30 wickets at an average of 22.30, strike-rate of 16.90, and an economy of 7.88. Despite an exceptional T20 record, Ahmed didn't get many chances in IPL 2018 as he played just a single game in the previous edition of IPL. However, after having performed decently for India, the left-arm pacer will look to play more games for SRH in IPL 2019.
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