Left Arm Spinners are always considered gem for the team. But their importance seems quite lesser in T-20 format. In the list of highest wicket takers in IPL, there are only two left arm spinners. In the best five the number is only one. Let’s see the top 10 left arm spinners in IPL.
10) Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh is regarded as one of the most gifted cricketers in the history of One Day International and Twenty20 cricket. The memory of his remarkable feat of hitting six sixes in a single over against English fast bowler Stuart Broad remains etched in the minds of many. Additionally, Yuvraj showcased his impressive skills as a bowler during his career.
Yuvraj’s performance in the Indian Premier League as a slow left arm spinner is quite commendable. Over the course of his 12-year IPL career, he managed to claim 36 wickets in 132 matches. Yuvi was consistently relied upon as a batting all-rounder by his team, and his contributions as a change bowler significantly benefited his side.
His most notable bowling display came in 2014 when he took 4 wickets. Despite Yuvraj’s destructive performance, it was not enough to secure a victory for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Rajasthan Royals. Nevertheless, this left-arm spin bowler delivered an exceptional performance.
9) Iqbal Abdulla
The left arm spinner from Azamgarh may not be well known to the current generation. However, he was the top wicket-taker for India in the U-19 World Cup of 2008.
Abdulla commenced his IPL journey in 2011. His remarkable performance ensured that his team, KKR, achieved the fourth position. With a total of 16 wickets, he became the leading wicket-taker for his team. Furthermore, he was also a part of the victorious KKR team in IPL 2012.
. Abdulla’s prowess led him to secure 40 wickets in 49 IPL matches with his magical left arm spin. This outstanding performance has established him as one of the prominent left arm spinner in the history of IPL.
8) Shadab Jakati
Shadab Jakati is renowned as finest left arm spinner from Goa. It was Jakati’s astonishing bowling that played a crucial role in CSK’s success in IPL 2009.
Jakati initiated his IPL career with CSK and throughout his tenure, he claimed a total of 47 wickets. He is widely regarded as one of the premier left arm spinner in the IPL.
7) Shahbaz Nadeem
None can underestimate the indelible impression left by Shahbaz Nadeem. This Left Arm Spinner from Jharkhand was a member of India’s T-20 squad against West Indies in 2018.
Shahbaz Nadeem, despite being selected, did not have the opportunity to participate in any International match. Nevertheless, his remarkable performance in the IPL cannot be denied.
Nadeem embarked on his IPL journey in 2011. In 2011 he competed in a total of five matches and managed to secure only four wickets. In 2019, he represented Sunrise Hyderabad. Later joined the ranks of the Lucknow Giants.
At the age of 34, Nadeem has impressively claimed 48 wickets in 72 matches, solidifying his status as one of the premier slow left arm spinners in the IPL.
6) Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan is an exceptional all-rounder in the history of cricket. Shakib garnered considerable attention as a member of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2011. Shakib participated in the IPL 2009 player auction. But he regrettably did not receive any offers from franchises.
In 2011, Shakib was acquired by KKR, and it was during the final match of the IPL in 2012 that he played a pivotal role. His unbeaten 11 runs off 7 balls proved to be crucial in KKR’s championship victory. He also managed to dismiss Suresh Raina.
Throughout his 71 matches in the IPL, Shakib impressively claimed 63 wickets. In 2021, he competed in his final IPL match for his beloved team, KKR. This left arm spinner is not playing IPL 2024.
5) Krunal Pandya
Krunal Pandya is undoubtedly an exceptional all-rounder. During the IPL in 2017 Krunal from the Mumbai Indians rose to prominence after delivering a sensational performance of 86 runs off 37 balls against the Delhi Daredevils.
Krunal Pandya is a highly regarded slow left arm orthodox bowler in the IPL. He commenced his IPL journey in 2016 after being acquired by the Mumbai Indians. Krunal Pandya is the elder brother of Hardik Pandya. But he did not achieve the same level of success as his younger sibling in international cricket.
However, his remarkable performances in the IPL have catapulted him into discussions regarding the all-time best all-rounders in the tournament. Throughout his 113 IPL matches, Krunal has impressively secured 70 wickets. He was recently acquired by the Lucknow Giants for the substantial sum of 8.25 crores for the IPL 2024 season.
Krunal is famous for his explosive batting and lethal slow left arm spin bowling. He has the potential to be a game-changer for his team.
4) Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav has already become well known after a great performance in World Cup 2023. This crafty left arm spinner has already grabbed 71 wickets in 73 matches. Yadav is considered the first chinaman bowler of India.
Kuldeep Yadav came into the spotlight on 2017 in an ODI against Australia. In that match Kuldeep take a hatrick as the third Indian bowler after Chetan Sharma and Kapil Dev. Kuldeep was the member of IPL 2014 champion KKR.
Later he was bought by Delhi Capitals. In IPL 2022 he won four player of the tournament award. He is still in the squad of Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024.
3) Pragyan Ojha
Pragyan Ojha was the first Left Arm Spinner to ensure a purple cap in IPL. However, Ojha gained even greater prominence for becoming Muralitharan’s 800th Test Victim.
He was a member of the Deccan Chargers squad in the first IPL edition. He captured 11 wickets in 13 matches in IPL 2008. His performance solidified his position in the Indian national team.
The year 2009 witnessed Ojha’s astounding performance in the IPL. The Deccan Chargers finished at the bottom of the table in the very first edition of IPL .But next year this same team emerged as champions by defeating RCB.
Ojha demonstrated a praiseworthy performance by claiming 3 wickets Deccan Chargers concluded the IPL 2010 at the fourth position. Ojha played a pivotal role in the team’s five consecutive victories during the group stage. With an impressive tally of 21 wickets, Ojha was crowned with the purple cap.
Throughout his IPL career, Ojha has amassed a total of 89 wickets, firmly establishing himself as one of the finest bowlers in the league.
2) Axar Patel
Axar Patel was the ninth Indian bowler to seize five wickets in his debut test match. Patel is renowned for his unwavering consistency as a left-arm spinner hailing from Gujarat.
Axar initially represented the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2013, yet he did not receive a single opportunity to showcase his skills. The following year, he was acquired by the Kings XI Punjab. It proved to be a fortuitous move for this Left Arm Spinner. Patel claimed 13 wickets throughout the tournament, in addition to accumulating 206 runs.
In IPL 2016, Patel donned the jersey of the Gujarat Titans. In a remarkable display, he secured four wickets in just five balls, thereby achieving the first hat trick of the 2016 season.
He stands as the second left-arm spinner to surpass the milestone of 100 wickets in the IPL. Across 136 matches, Patel has impressively taken 112 wickets.
1) Ravindra Jadeja
Sir Jadeja is undoubtedly the most exceptional left arm orthodox bowler in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He is one of the leading wicket takers in IPL. Moreover his proficiency as an all rounder is simply unparalleled.
Similar to Axar Patel, Jadeja also hails from the state of Gujarat. He stands alone as the sole bowler in this roster who can boast of having more than 400 wickets in international cricket to his name.
His capability as an all rounder was showcased in the inaugural edition of the IPL. His outstanding performance played a pivotal role in leading the Rajasthan Royals to victory in the first IPL.He is the first and only left-arm spinner to pick 150 wickets in the IPL history.
Jadeja has successfully taken 152 wickets in the IPL, a feat that has earned him the esteemed title of “rockstar” bestowed upon him by the legendary leg spinner Shane Warne, in recognition of his exceptional overall performance in the inaugural IPL.
Left Arm Spinners in IPL 2024
Left arm spinners in most of the IPL team,take crucial part in the overall performance of the team. In 2024 the fans are eagerly waiting for Promising Left Arm Spinners Manimaran Siddharth and Manav Suthar. Siddharth will play for CSK and Manav for GT. The two youngsters may steal the momentum of IPL. Now let’s wait.
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