4 well-known batsmen who were out for a duck on their IPL debut

The IPL has seen a fair share of cricketers who have metamorphosed from average players to legends-in-the-making. Success did not come overnight for the great IPL players in today’s times. They took a while to establish themselves in this arena. But once they did, there was no looking back!

It is a dream-come-true for any cricketer when he makes his IPL debut. It is only because of the IPL that the players get such an enormous attention at a tender age, something that was unimaginable 40 years ago. It is never easy for any player to deliver a phenomenal performance on his IPL debut since the pressure is enormous and lack of experience means you are likely to allow the nerves to get the better of you.

Many of the successful IPL batsmen in today's times hold the unwanted record of getting out on their IPL debut for a naught. They say that the ones who get a duck on their debut are more likely to achieve great success in their careers.

You have seen these gentlemen enthrall the crowd with their breath-taking strokeplay but might have missed out on how they started their journey. Let us take a look at 4 cricketers who were out for a duck on their IPL debut.

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#4 Jos Buttler

One of the best T20 batsmen of the modern era, Jos Buttler is a kind of player who can snatch the game away from opposition's grasp very quickly. Buttler is a maverick who has got a wide range of shots and is capable of playing all around the park.

He made his IPL debut against the Rising Pune Supergiant in the ninth edition of the IPL at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai in April 2016. He was out without troubling the scorers, caught by Ravichandran Ashwin off Mitchell Marsh's bowling.

In 37 IPL games so far, Buttler has scored 1075 runs at a staggering strike rate of 150. However, it is fair to say that Buttler did not quite flourish at the Mumbai Indians as much as he did at the Rajasthan Royals as he was batting down the order too often for his former side. Since his move to the top of the order for RR, he has been unstoppable and scored 5 successive fifties this season.

#3 Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey, the first Indian IPL centurion has seen a fair share of highs and lows in his IPL career so far and yet has stood strong. An attacking batsman and someone who is always agile in the field, Pandey adds a lot to the table.

Pandey's IPL debut came against the Kolkata Knight Riders playing for the Mumbai Indians in the first edition of the IPL at the Eden Gardens in April 2008. He was knocked over by Ashok Dinda for a duck off 3 balls.

He has played for the Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pune Warriors India, Kolkata Knight Riders and the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the league. Pandey is a seasoned campaigner in the IPL, having scored 2499 runs from 118 games at a strike rate of 120.

#2 Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane is one of the best Indian openers in the IPL at the moment. His temparament is a delight to watch when he is at the crease. He is a kind of player who relies more on timing than power.

In 2008, a 19 year-old Ajinkya Rahane turned up for the Mumbai Indians on his IPL debut against the Deccan Chargers and unfortunately failed to make his debut count. He miscued one to Pragyan Ojha off Sanjay Bangar's bowling scoring a 7-ball duck.

Rahane didn't get adequate opportunities for the Mumbai Indians but has seen himself blossom at the Rajasthan franchise. In his IPL career, he has scored 3427 runs from 126 matches at an average of 33.

#1 Rohit Sharma

The current Mumbai Indians skipper and 3-time IPL-winning captain represented the now-defunct Deccan Chargers in the first 3 editions of the IPL. Rohit Sharma is one of the IPL greats every opposition team fears.

Rohit made his debut against the Kolkata Knight Riders at his favorite venue Eden Gardens. He had a forgettable start to his IPL career as he was caught by Wriddhiman Saha off Murali Karthik's bowling for a duck. His IPL numbers read 4493 runs from 173 games at an average of 32 striking at above 130 since then.

The 2013 IPL has seen Rohit evolve as a cricketer after he led the Mumbai Indians to their maiden IPL title victory. Rohit continues to be a batting powerhouse in the cash-rich Indian Premier League,