Getting out for a duck is one of the biggest nightmares for a batsman but such is cricket at the very top level. It is very harsh and unpredictable.
No batsman ever wants to get out without contributing to their team’s cause with the willow but sometimes it does happen. Over the years we have seen some of the best in the business play in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) and sometimes even they falter to get going.
As the 10th edition of the tournament approaches, we look back at some of the star batters who have got out for zero the most number of times. Believe me, no one wants to be on this list!
#5 Rohit Sharma (8)
The Mumbai Indians captain has been a prolific run-getter for his side over the years. He has led from the front always and always played a crucial hand when his team has needed him the most.
Rohit joined the franchise in 2011 from the now defunct Deccan Chargers and in 2013 he was given the captaincy. That very year he led them to the title and then doubled the celebrations by winning the Champions League T20. In 2015 to he once again led the team to the crown by scoring 482 runs from 16 games.
Overall, Rohit has scored 3874 runs from 142 games at an average of 33.68 and strike rate of 131.72. He, however, has also scored 8 ducks during this time.
Ajinkya Rahane and AB De Villiers too have got out 8 times in the tournament without opening their account.
#4 Jacques Kallis (9)
Kallis is one of the greatest all-rounders to have played the game. In his first few years in the league he turned up for the Royal Challengers Bangalore but in 2011 he shifted his allegiance to the Kolkata Knight Riders who had revamped their side after disastrous first three seasons.
He was quite brilliant for the men in purple and played a key role in the Shahrukh Khan co-owned team winning the tournament twice. Though he had lost pace with the ball he was like a wily old fox and delivered some dazzling knocks with the bat.
In 2015 after retiring from cricket the South African legend took up a coaching role with the franchise. For the record, Kallis has scored 2427 runs in the league at an average of 28.55. Alongside the runs, he has also picked up 65 wickets. However, he is on this list because he failed to get off the mark on nine occasions.
#3 Parthiv Patel (10)
The diminutive left-hander has had a whirlwind journey in the league so far. He has played for six different franchises and has finally settled down with the Mumbai Indians.
Although he has been quite sensational for his state side Gujarat in the last few years, leading them to the Ranji Trophy title this time. He has failed to live up to potential in white ball cricket.
In every team, he has been used at the top of the order to get them off to a flyer. Though on a few occasions he succeeded, most of the times he got out cheaply. Thus he has to his credit 10 ducks in total from 103 IPL games. That is he has only scored runs in 93 matches. But his record isn’t that poor when you look at his statistics.
Patel has amassed 1927 runs at an average of 21.17. He has also taken 54 catches and effected 12 stumpings as a wicket-keeper.
#2 Manish Pandey (11)
As a youngster, he took the second edition of the IPL by storm when he smashed a dazzling hundred in South Africa. However, he did not enjoy much success with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) after that but things changed when he moved to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
The team management trusted him with the responsibility of batting at No.3 and he did not disappoint them. He has also grown in stature in the last few years and have consistently delivered for the India A and the senior national team whenever he has got his chance.
Pandey was quite brilliant in both editions when KKR won the league. The second time around in 2014 chasing Kings XI Punjab’s 199, Pandey came up with a 94 to help his side overhaul the target. However, he has also failed to score a run in 11 games, that a lot considering he has played only 89 games.
#1 Gautam Gambhir (12)
He played for the Delhi Daredevils for the first three seasons and enjoyed reasonable success. But then in 2011 Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) roped him into their squad with big money and made him the captain.
Gambhir thrived under the new found responsibilities leading his team from the front. He played a stellar role in both 2012 and 2014 when KKR were crowned champions. Usually batting at the top of the order he has been setting the tone for the men in purple with his fiery starts. But he has failed on quite a number of occasions too and has 12 ducks in his pocket so far.
But you cannot take away the awesome record he has set in the league scoring 3634 runs from 132 games at an average of 30.53 with a strike rate of 124.15.
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