Left-handers had a rather quiet outing in IPL 2021. If you take a look at the history of IPL, the likes of Chris Gayle and David Warner have always exploded. However, in this edition, while a few popular southpaws were underwhelming, the left-arm bowlers did not do extraordinarily well. That said, some of the left-handers did enjoy a decent outing. In this article, we take a look at the best left-handed XI of IPL 2021.
In this era where matchups and analysis plays an important role, every team is in need of a good combination of right-handers and left-handers in the XI. Hence, in recent years, although there could be better talented right-handed cricketers in the group, we have seen a left-hander take up a position in the playing XI.
Note: We have considered only players whose primary skill is done using their left hand.
Openers: Shikhar Dhawan and Devdutt Padikkal
Shikhar Dhawan and Devdutt Padikkal will open the batting for the best left-handed XI of IPL 2021. In both Shikhar and DDP’s case, the UAE leg did not come off well and hence, they did not seem impactful. However, when the tournament happened in India, both were in good form. Dhawan was still the fourth-highest run-getter in IPL 2021 but had he performed well in UAE, Delhi could have had a better chance. Padikkal, though, tried his best but appeared out of touch.
Middle-Order: Moeen Ali, Rishabh Pant (C&WK) and Shimron Hetmyer
Moeen Ali, Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer will form the core of this team’s middle-order. CSK utilized Moeen at No.3 and this move paid rich dividends. The Englishman was able to contribute with a few solid cameos. It was Pant’s first IPL as a skipper and hence, with the bat, he did not seem like his previous self. However, he did play a few good knocks and hence, features in this XI. Shimron Hetmyer pulled DC out of a hole on multiple occasions. He did not get big scores but got runs when needed the most.
All-Rounders: Venkatesh Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel
We will have three all-rounders for the best left-handed XI of IPL 2021. Venkatesh Iyer was a revelation in the UAE leg. His form helped KKR reach the finals. Along with him, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel will be part of this group. Jadeja yet again showed the class he has got while Axar did well with the ball in many games.
Bowlers: Trent Boult, Arshdeep Singh, and Chetan Sakariya
The left-arm bowlers did not find success as they found in IPL 2020. However, of the lot, Arshdeep was the most impressive as he picked up 18 wickets. Trent Boult did well in patches but failed to have an impact. Chetan Sakariya was good in India but tapered off in the UAE leg. Thanks to his performance in India, Chetan also got a chance to make his India debut. T Natarajan missed most part of IPL 2021. Had he been fit, he could have been a member of this department.