In cricket, batsmen play a key role by standing against bowlers and aiming to score runs for their team. While most batsmen are right-handed, only about 7% of players use their left hand, making left-handed batsmen a unique and exciting group. Their rare approach and distinct style have contributed significantly to the game. Let’s take a look at some of the greatest left-handed batsmen in cricket history who left an unforgettable mark with their extraordinary skills and achievements.
10. Matthew Hayden
The Australian batting powerhouse was known for his aggressive style and consistency. In 103 Test matches, Hayden scored 8,625 runs in 184 innings, including a career-best 380. In ODIs, he played 161 matches, compiling 6,133 runs in 155 innings, with a top score of 181. Over his career, he represented teams like Brisbane Heat, Chennai Super Kings, Hampshire, and Northamptonshire, showcasing his skills across different formats.
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9. Saeed Anwar
A batting icon from Pakistan, Saeed Anwar was celebrated for his elegance and ability to anchor innings. He played 55 Test matches, scoring 4,052 runs in 91 innings, with a highest score of 188. In ODIs, he played 247 matches, amassing 8,824 runs across 244 innings, including a top score of 194. Anwar also represented teams like Karachi, Lahore, and United Bank Limited during his illustrious career.
8. Allan Border
A legendary figure in Australian cricket, Allan Border had a long and impactful career. In 156 Test matches, he scored 11,174 runs in 265 innings, with a highest score of 205. His ODI record includes 273 matches where he tallied 6,524 runs in 252 innings, with a best of 127. Border was also a remarkable captain, leading his teams, including Essex, Gloucestershire, and New South Wales, to many victories.
7. Sanath Jayasuriya
The Sri Lankan legend was a trailblazer in limited-overs cricket with his attacking batting style. In 110 Test matches, Jayasuriya scored 6,973 runs in 188 innings, including a top score of 340. In ODIs, he played an astonishing 445 matches, accumulating 13,430 runs in 433 innings, with a highest score of 189. He also played for teams like Mumbai Indians, Somerset, and the Colombo Cricket Club.
6. Clive Lloyd
A stalwart of West Indies cricket, Clive Lloyd was known for his powerful batting and leadership. In 110 Test matches, he scored 7,515 runs in 175 innings, with a highest score of 242. In ODIs, he featured in 87 matches, amassing 1,977 runs in 69 innings, with a top score of 102. His domestic career included representing teams like Guyana and Lancashire.
5. Kumar Sangakkara
One of the greatest left-handed batsmen in Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, is widely regarded for his consistency and elegance. Over his illustrious career, Sangakkara played 134 Test matches, accumulating 12,400 runs in 233 innings, with a career-high of 319. He is considered one of the greatest left-handed batsmen in Cricket for his remarkable feats in ODIs, where he scored 14,234 runs in 404 matches, with a highest score of 169. In T20Is, the greatest left-handed batsmen in Cricket category includes his 1,382 runs from 56 matches. Sangakkara’s career also saw him play for renowned teams such as Sunrisers Hyderabad, Karachi Kings, and Surrey.
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4. Adam Gilchrist
Australia’s dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman, Adam Gilchrist, is considered one of the greatest left-handed batsmen in cricket. He redefined the role of a left-handed batter in modern cricket with his aggressive style of play. Over 96 Test matches, Gilchrist scored 5,570 runs in 137 innings, including a highest score of 204. His contributions in ODIs were also notable, and he played for teams like New South Wales and Middlesex, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest left-handed batsmen in cricket history. Known for his fearless batting, Gilchrist became a symbol of explosive, left-handed batting in the modern era.
3. Sir Garry Sobers
Sir Garry Sobers, regarded as one of the greatest left-handed batsmen in cricket, had a stellar career for the West Indies. In 93 Test matches, he scored 8,032 runs in 160 innings, with a top score of 365. His remarkable first-class record of 28,314 runs in 383 matches adds to his legacy as one of the greatest left-handed batsmen in cricket. Sobers also played for teams like Nottinghamshire and South Australia, further solidifying his place among the greatest left-handed batsmen in cricket.
2. Sourav Ganguly
Known as one of India’s most successful captains, Sourav Ganguly was celebrated as one of the greatest left-handed batsmen in cricket. In his illustrious career, he played 113 Test matches, scoring 7,212 runs in 188 innings, including a career-best score of 239. In ODIs, Ganguly amassed an impressive 11,363 runs across 311 matches, with a top score of 183. He also represented teams like Kolkata Knight Riders, Lancashire, and Pune Warriors, further solidifying his reputation among cricketing legends.
1. Brian Lara
The West Indies batting maestro, Brian Lara, is widely celebrated as one of the greatest left-handed batsmen in cricket history. In a stellar career spanning 131 Test matches, Lara amassed 11,953 runs across 232 innings, including an iconic unbeaten 400*, the highest individual score in Test cricket. In ODIs, his brilliance shone as he scored 10,405 runs in 289 innings, with a personal best of 169. Representing teams like Warwickshire and Mumbai Champs, he further solidified his reputation as one of the greatest left-handed batsmen in cricket and a true cricketing legend.
List of 10 Greatest Left-Handed Batsmen in Cricket History
| Rank | Player | Tests (Runs/HS) | ODIs (Runs/HS) | T20Is (Runs/HS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Lara | 131 (11,953/400*) | 299 (10,405/169) | N/A |
| 2 | Sourav Ganguly | 113 (7,212/239) | 311 (11,363/183) | 77 (1,726/91) |
| 3 | Sir Garry Sobers | 93 (8,032/365) | N/A | N/A |
| 4 | Adam Gilchrist | 96 (5,570/204) | 287 (9,619/172) | 13 (272/48) |
| 5 | Kumar Sangakkara | 134 (12,400/319) | 404 (14,234/169) | 56 (1,382/78) |
| 6 | Clive Lloyd | 110 (7,515/242) | 87 (1,977/102) | N/A |
| 7 | Sanath Jayasuriya | 110 (6,973/340) | 445 (13,430/189) | 31 (629/88) |
| 8 | Allan Border | 156 (11,174/205) | 273 (6,524/127) | N/A |
| 9 | Saeed Anwar | 55 (4,052/188) | 247 (8,824/194) | N/A |
| 10 | Matthew Hayden | 103 (8,625/380) | 161 (6,133/181) | N/A |
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