We always talk of the success and the victories often scored by the Indian Cricketers or the fame they have contributed to the country. But alongside that, there is another side of cricket that is not spoken of and embarrasses the players! Yes, you caught me right! I am talking about the Ducks! This phrase might have sounded funny if you are someone new to cricket. But a term in cricket represents the batsman's dismissal with a score of zero, a different type of out in cricket. Are you interested in learning more about it? If yes, then you are here at the right place. In today's blog, I have shared about the players who have scored the most ducks in international cricket. So, if you want to know more, read the blog till the end.
What Do You Mean by Ducks in Cricket?
In cricket, a duck is when a batsman is dismissed from the game for a score of zero. The term is clipped from the word Duck's Egg, the latter which was used before the beginning of test cricket. This term was first used about the Prince of Wales, where the contemporary newspaper addressed the player's performance as "retired to the royal pavilion on a 'duck's egg'; The first duck in a Test Match was made in the first test between Australia and England at Melbourne in March 1877. However, in cricket, we always look for the players who have scored either the most or the fastest century and neglect the other side, which is the dismissal and inevitable part of the game.
What Are the Different Variations of These Ducks?
The batsman dismissed by the first ball is said to be dismissed with a golden duck, which is the same in the entire cricket.
If the first ball of an innings dismisses the batsman, it is said to have been dismissed for a royal or a platinum duck.
If a batsman is dismissed without facing the ball, it is said to be the diamond duck, but in some regions, the term has an alternative definition. However, if the batsman is one of the openers, it is said to be a titanium duck. And in case the batsman is timed out without making it to the crease, then it is known as a diamond or a platinum duck.
Most Ducks in International Cricket
Ishant Sharma- 40 Ducks
Ishant Sharma tops our list by securing 40 ducks with no runs, and his name appears among the players who have scored the most ducks in international cricket. Despite his previous appearance in 2021, this player has yet to announce his retirement. An interesting fact about him is that out of 40 ducks, 34 scored in test cricket. He also has a record of acquiring the fifth most scoreless innings in the game's oldest and the purest format.
Tim Southee – 38 Ducks
Tim Southee, a New Zealand paceman, has recorded 38 ducks in international cricket in fewer innings. He is a fast bowler by designation, which is a unique type of bowling in cricket. Southee has been dismissed without a run 19 times in tests, 13 times in the ODIs, and on 6 occasions in T20I matches. However, this great cricketer has an astonishing strike rate of 82.48 in Test matches, and he has registered 65+ scores in the format in his 100-plus appearances.
Virat Kohli- 38 Ducks
The next on our list is Virat Kohli, the best fielder in cricket history. His duck rate is the same as our previous player, Tim Southee, i.e., 38 ducks, and it is from all three game formats. To be more concise, he secured 15 ducks in the tests, 16 ducks in the ODIs, and the remaining from the T20 Internationals. However, all these 38 ducks that secured him were registered during India's series-opening first Test match against New Zealand in October 2024.
Tamim Iqbal – 36 ducks
Tamim Iqbal has recorded an overall of 36 ducks in all his appearances since his debut in the year 2007. Among these, 19 of the ducks are from the ODIs alone, and that too from 240 innings, which was more than half of his overall scores in international cricket. However, in the year 2023, he confirmed his retirement from cricket.
Rohit Sharma- 33 Ducks
Rohit Sharma has 33 ducks, which he obtained in 513 international innings, which traveled for 485 matches. In T20Is alone, this international player was dismissed without adding a run to the team on 12 occasions during the T20 World Cup. He is among the Indian players with the most ducks in international cricket. Even in his ODI career, he was dismissed more than 16 times in the total span. Now, he has played 62 tests since his debut and failed to score a run five times in red-ball cricket.
Frequently Asked Questions About Most Ducks in International Cricket
What Is a Golden Duck in Cricket?
A golden duck is when the batsman is dismissed by the first ball they face. However, the term is common in the entire cricket world.
Why Is Zero Represented as the Ducks?
Zero is represented as the duck's egg because of its shape. However, the term duck comes from the shape of '0,' which is similar to that of the duck's egg.
Which Player Has the Most Ducks in the Test?
The player with the most ducks in test cricket is Courtney Walsh of the West Indies, who scored 43 ducks in 185 innings between 1984 and 2001.
In a game like cricket, where the scoring game is the ultimate aim, getting out zero can be unpredictable. However, these moments can lead you to embarrassment; it is also part of cricket's charm, proving that success comes from learning and improving after every setback. These different perspectives are what make cricket so popular in India.
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