Left-handed Yuvraj Singh lighting up the 2007 T20 World Cup (x.com)
Chronicling from the archives of cricket, numerous sinistral batting wizards have carved out a legacy defined by elegance and an almost poetic grace. As evidenced by decades worth of history, the artistry of a left-hander at the crease is a sight to behold, where every stroke is imbued with a unique fluidity and precision that sets them apart.
Some of the world’s greatest left-handed batters have nonchalantly embodied the spirit and sophistication of the game, usually by putting up performance for the ages through their southpaw diligence. Let’s take a look at five of the most memorable batting concerts displayed by some great left-handed batters in recent memory, regardless of the format.
Saeed Anwar in full throttle against India (x.com)
In the sixth match of the 1997 Pepsi Independence Cup against arch-rivals India, Pakistan opener Saeed Anwar scored his career-best 194 from 146 balls. Anwar’s legendary knock boosted Pakistan to a match-winning total of 327-5 from 50 overs. The cricketer fell just one soaring hit short of a historic double ton courtesy of India’s part-time spinner Sachin Tendulkar.
Nonetheless, Saeed Anwar’s Chennai epic remained ODI cricket’s highest individual men’s score for more than 12 years, until Zimbabwe’s Charles Coventry levelled the historic feat in August 2009.
Ben Stokes celebrating England’s win over Australia (AP)
Chasing a record 359-run target, England were struggling 159-4 in the third Test of the 2019 Ashes at Headingley. A resolute Ben Stokes arrived at the crease after the fall of Joe Denly at 141-3, and soon lost Joe Root to a charged-up Nathan Lyon.
Unfazed by the mounting pressure, Ben Stokes conjured his 2019 World Cup final spirits from a month earlier to produce another run-chase classic in a clutch game. The legendary English all-rounder smeared 135 unbeaten runs from 219 balls to take England to a memorable win.
Rishabh Pant completing the winning runs for India (AP)
Indian batters found themselves another 324 runs away from history before taking centerstage at the Gabba on January 19, 2021. With a Test match, series, crucial WTC points on the line; coupled that with a chance of breaking Australia’s 32-year-old unbeaten streak at the iconic Brisbane-based venue; India’s batting barnacle Cheteshwar Pujara took multiple body blows and Shubman Gill punched out an attacking 91 to put India’s chase on track.
Their combined efforts emboldened flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant to dash Australia’s final hopes with a mercurial Day 5 innings, carving a well-paced 89* from 138 balls to take India home in the final few minutes of the series.
Gautam Gambhir during the 2011 World Cup final (x.com)
World Cup 2011 co-hosts India and Sri Lanka fittingly locked horns for the title clash on April 2, 2011 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. However, before Indian fans could grasp the reality of what’s at stake, their team slipped to 31-2 in a challenging pursuit of 275.
Against all odds, India’s number three Gautam Gambhir turned up the heat. The legendary left-hander pounded 97 elegant runs from 122 balls, and shared valiant partnerships with Virat Kohli and captain MS Dhoni guiding India to a World Cup win after 28 years.
Kusal Perera celebrating Sri Lanka’s win (x.com)
Having conceded a 44-run first-innings lead in the match, the touring Sri Lankan party was left to fetch a record target of 304 runs in the first Test of the two-match series.
Sri Lanka eventually slipped to 226-9 at one stage to find themselves another 78 runs away from the target. In a sensational display of steely grit and defiance, Kusal Perera carved his knock alongside number 11 Vishwa Fernando (6*) to pull off a sensational heist on the second session of Day 4.
Perera’s heroic efforts also set up path of a famous Sri Lankan series win on South African soil the following week.
