The dreaded duck is a rare and embarrassing incident in the exhilarating world of One Day International (ODI) cricket, where the bat meets the ball in an endless battle of talent and strategy. A duck in cricket is referred to as being removed without even opening one’s account on the scoreboard. While it’s a cricketing imperfection that no batsman wants to have, some have become more familiar with it than others.

In a world where centuries and big hits rule the headlines, the duck serves as a harsh reminder of the game’s brutality. It is a stat that no batsman wants to hear, yet some have become famous for their repeated encounters with it.

Let’s look at the batsmen with most ducks in ODI cricket

Sanath Jayasuriya: 34 ducks

Sanath Jayasuriya is at the top of the list and is renowned for his reckless mindset and explosive batting style. He led Sri Lanka’s strong cricket style and was an important figure in the island nation’s World Cup wins in 1996 & 2002. Throughout his long career of 445 matches, his risk-taking approach frequently left him vulnerable early in his innings, resulting in 34 ducks.

Shahid Afridi: 30 ducks

Another cricketer with a reputation for overabundance Shahid Afridi, succeeded for Pakistan. His fiery batting style earned him the nickname “Boom Boom Afridi.” While his courageous innings could impact the final result of the match, they also left him vulnerable to early dismissals; in his 398 ODI matches, he got 30 ducks.

Wasim Akram: 28 ducks

One of cricket’s finest all-rounders, Wasim Akram, was an imposing competitor with both the bat and the ball. His bowling prowess is well known, but he also occasionally batted. However, it also had 28 ducks overall across his 356 ODI matches. Akram played an essential part in Pakistan’s successful World Cup campaign in 1992.

Mahela Jayawardene: 28 ducks

Mahela Jayawardene was a representation of consistency and technique compared to the above aggressive players. The Sri Lankan maestro was important to his team’s World Cup wins in 2002 and 2011. In his outstanding career spanning 448 matches, Jayawardene suffered the dreaded duck 28 times despite his elegant batting style and flawless technique.

Lasith Malinga: 26 ducks

Lasith Malinga was primarily known for his destructive bowling, but he also gained notoriety for his toe-crushing yorkers. However, Malinga was occasionally at the crease and his batting prowess was tested. In his 226 ODI appearances, he had 26 ducks as a result of his bold style and propensity for going for the ball. He performed a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning team in 2011.

Muttiah Muralitharan 25 ducks

The greatest bowler in ODI cricket history, Muttiah Muralitharan, was a master of his craft. But even he sometimes had to deal with batting practice. In 350 ODI matches, Muralitharan was out for a duck 25 times. Despite being modest, his contribution with the bat showed his versatility as a cricketer. This makes him the 3rd Sri Lanka cricketer in the list of batsmen with most ducks in ODI cricket

The Unpredictable Nature of Ducks

Ducks are the ultimate equalizer in cricket. They can strike anyone, no matter their reputation or skill. While the six batters stated above may have the most ducks in ODI cricket, it is crucial to remember that being eliminated for a duck does not always indicate a player’s overall expertise. A batsman’s responsiveness to ducks can be affected by several factors such as batting technique, temperament, pitch and conditions and match situations.

Ducks represent a sharp reminder of the merciless facts of the ODI cricket surroundings. The six batters who gained the most ducks in ODI cricket also achieved remarkable exploits and made an important contribution to their respective teams’ successes. Their ducks are only a tiny part of their outstanding careers and a reminder of the difficulties they encountered and overcame.

Cricket is a journey with highs and lows, just like life. Even the most prominent cricket players often need to have a duck, which serves as a humbling reminder that success frequently results from perseverance in the face of difficulty. We have to acknowledge the courage it takes to recover from a duck and carry on playing the game with unwavering enthusiasm and determination while concurrently celebrating the towering sixes and exquisite cover drives.

Let’s not forget that, even though the batters with the most ducks in ODI cricket may have seen their fair share of failures, their careers were impacted by much more than those early dismissals. They remain legendary players, each with a distinct approach and contributions that enhanced cricket and left a lasting impression on the sport’s history.

Unknown facts about Ducks in ODI cricket:

The only player to have never been dismissed for a duck in ODI cricket is Kepler Wessels (South Africa), who played 109 matches.
The player with the most consecutive innings without a duck in ODI cricket is Rahul Dravid (India), with 122 innings. He achieved this feat between August 29, 1999, and February 6, 2004
The players with the most consecutive ducks in ODI cricket are Lasith Malinga, Pramodya Wickramasinghe, Gus Logie, Craig White and Henry Olonga all with 4 ducks.