LisIPL Players With Most Ducks: The Unwanted Record Holders

The Unwanted Side of IPL Glory

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has long been celebrated as the ultimate stage for batting excellence. It is a tournament where towering sixes, elegant cover drives, and match-winning knocks define a player’s legacy. However, beneath the glitz and glamour of the tournament’s high-scoring affairs, there exists a sobering reality that every cricketer dreads: the ‘duck.’

While it is common to expect tailenders to feature prominently in lists regarding scoreless outings, the reality of T20 cricket is far more indiscriminate. Even the most seasoned veterans, with years of experience and thousands of runs to their names, have fallen victim to the dreaded zero. In this article, we examine the LisIPL Players With Most Ducks, shedding light on the legends who have accumulated this unwanted statistic throughout their careers.

The 16-Duck Club: Chawla and Khan

Two of the most respected names in spin bowling, Piyush Chawla and Rashid Khan, find themselves tied at the lower end of this high-frequency list with 16 ducks each. Chawla, a veteran of 192 matches, has faced the music 92 times across 16 seasons. While his primary contribution has been with the ball, his batting journey includes a memorable, match-winning cameo in the 2014 final for Kolkata Knight Riders.

Rashid Khan, the Afghan superstar, also shares this tally. However, his context is vastly different. Playing from 72 innings, Rashid is known for his aggressive intent at the death. Boasting a staggering strike rate of 157.36, he often walks into the middle during high-pressure situations where the risk of a zero is inherently higher. His ability to score quick runs, including a well-earned IPL fifty, remains a vital asset for the Gujarat Titans.

The 18-Duck Threshold: Karthik and Narine

Moving further up the list, we encounter two pillars of the Kolkata Knight Riders history: Dinesh Karthik and Sunil Narine, each with 18 ducks. Dinesh Karthik’s presence here is a byproduct of his incredible longevity. Having played 257 matches over 17 seasons, his high number of dismissals is proportional to the sheer volume of cricket he has played across multiple franchises, including Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians. With over 4,800 runs, his record remains one of consistency despite the frequent zeroes.

Sunil Narine, conversely, has reached this tally in far fewer innings. As a pinch-hitter who transformed into a formidable top-order threat, Narine’s approach is high-risk, high-reward. Whether opening the batting or slogging in the death overs, his 165.30 strike rate proves that he plays with an ‘all-or-nothing’ mindset. His career includes a century and seven fifties, proving that for players like him, the occasional duck is simply part of the package.

The 19-Duck Leaders: Rohit Sharma and Glenn Maxwell

At the pinnacle of this unwanted list are Rohit Sharma and Glenn Maxwell, both holding the record with 19 ducks each. Rohit Sharma, one of the only two players to surpass 7,000 runs in IPL history, shows that no one is immune to a slump. His 19th duck occurred during the 2026 season at the Wankhede Stadium, a moment that highlighted the unpredictable nature of the game. Across 276 innings, the sheer volume of his career makes the occasional failure an anomaly in an otherwise illustrious narrative.

Glenn Maxwell, however, presents a different scenario. Achieving 19 ducks in just 135 innings, Maxwell averages a scoreless exit once every seven innings. His career is defined by extreme peaks and valleys. While he has hammered 18 half-centuries, a significant portion of his production occurred within just three seasons (2014, 2021, and 2023). This statistic perfectly encapsulates the ‘all-or-nothing’ style that has made Maxwell one of the most enigmatic yet dangerous middle-order batters in the history of the league.

Conclusion: The Price of Aggression

It is important to remember that these statistics do not diminish the greatness of these players. In a format that demands constant aggression, the risk of dismissal is part of the game. For players like Maxwell and Narine, the intent to clear the boundary often results in an early exit, but it also creates the match-winning momentum teams crave. For legends like Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik, the record is merely a footnote in a long, storied career marked by immense contributions to the IPL.