Highest Individual Scores by Left-handers in ODI World Cup

Left-handers look elegant when they bat and have played some of the greatest in the ODI World Cup history. Players like Kumar Sangakkara, Chris Gayle, Sourav Ganguly, and David Warner have produced iconic knocks.

Left-handers with the Highest Individual Scores in the ODI WC

Left-handers have always been a treat to the eyes. The white-ball cricket was always blessed with left-handed batters who could take the attack to the bowlers and post mammoth totals. The likes of David Warner, Quinton de Kock, Devin Conway, etc., are some terrific hitters in the modern-day game. 

The following is the list of exciting left-hand batters with the highest individual scores in ODI World Cups:

Chris Gayle – 215 (2015)

Chris Gayle is the only left-hander with a double century in the ODI World Cup, a feat he achieved against Zimbabwe in the 2015 edition. He smashed ten fours and 16 sixes on his way to a brilliant double hundred. It was a sensational knock from the Caribbean legend, who had a great partner in the likes of Marlon Samuels, who himself scored an unbeaten 133.

Garry Kirsten – 188* (1996)

Gary Kirsten, one of the most stylish batters, decided to take down UAE bowlers when the two teams met in the 1996 ODI World Cup. Batting first in Rawalpindi, South Africa was in absolute control, posting 321 runs on the board. Gary Kirsten scored an unbeaten 188 runs in an innings with 13 fours and four sixes. It remains the highest individual score by a South African in the 50-over format.

Sourav Ganguly – 183 (1999)

Sourav Ganguly, the prince of Kolkata, was dominant from ball one when India faced Sri Lanka in the 1999 ODI World Cup. He smashed the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground, scoring 183 runs in just 158 balls. The former Indian captain’s innings consisted of 17 fours and seven sixes. It is still the highest individual score by an Indian in the World Cup.
 

David Warner – 178 (2015)

Afghanistan discovered how destructive David Warner can be when Australia took on Afghanistan in the 2015 ODI World Cup. Warner took the Afghanistan bowlers apart, scoring 178 runs in just 133 balls. His innings had 19 fours and five sixes, making batting look simple. The opening batter has three 150+ scores in the ODI World Cup.

Quinton de Kock – 174 (2023)

Quinton de Kock, who will call it quits from ODIs after the 2023 World Cup, is a class apart when striking the ball. Bangladesh was at the mercy of Quinton de Kock when South Africa took on Bangladesh in the 2023 ODI World Cup. He smashed 174 runs in an innings with 15 fours and seven sixes. The wicket-keeper batter became the fifth South African batter to register a 150+ score in the World Cup. 

Concluding Thoughts

When left-handers are on song, it is a treat to watch. ODI cricket has always witnessed scintillating knocks from left-handed batters over the years. It was Saeed Anwar who was the first batter to come agonizingly scoring a 200. Meanwhile, Sanath Jayasuriya, Adam Gilchrist, Sourav Ganguly, etc., have produced some of the most memorable performances in ODIs. 

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