Top 5 left-arm bowlers produced by India

#4 Vinoo Mankad

Vinoo Mankad was India's first great all-rounder

At a time when India was still seeking to establish its identity in world cricket, Vinoo Mankad emerged as a godsend. His game-changing spells, as well as compelling knocks, were the cornerstone of a team which was wading through the murky and turbulent waters of Test cricket.

During India's maiden Test victory in 1952, Mankad spun webs around England's seasoned batting lineup on a bone-dry surface at Chennai. The left-arm spinner also played an integral part in India's first series triumph against neighbours Pakistan in the same year. Such was his stamina and durability that he often opened the innings after bowling marathon spells under intense heat. It's a travesty that the cricket community now remembers the name 'Mankad' more for a petulant run-out rather than his all-round heroics.