LisIPL Players With Most Ducks: The Unwanted Record Holders

Understanding the IPL‘s Most Unwanted Statistic

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has cemented its reputation as a global spectacle where batting greatness is frequently defined by strike rates and boundaries. However, behind every successful campaign, there is a complex record book that tracks not just the triumphs, but also the failures. Among these, the tally of ‘ducks’—dismissals for zero runs—remains one of the most discussed and debated statistics in the tournament’s history.

While it is common to assume that only tailenders are prone to frequent scoreless outings, the reality is quite different. Some of the most celebrated names in international cricket have found themselves trapped in this unwanted list. This analysis explores the careers of these athletes, balancing their remarkable contributions to the game against their unfortunate record of ducks.

The 16-Duck Club: Chawla and Khan

At the start of the higher-tier count, we encounter two of the most significant spinners in the tournament’s history: Piyush Chawla and Rashid Khan. Both players have registered 16 ducks, yet their roles within their respective teams could not be more different.

Piyush Chawla, a veteran of 192 matches, has been a journeyman across four different franchises. Having accumulated 624 runs at an average of 11.14, Chawla’s primary value has historically rested in his spin bowling. Despite the 16 ducks, fans often remember his heroic cameo in the 2014 IPL final, which helped Kolkata Knight Riders lift the trophy. Conversely, Rashid Khan represents a more modern brand of cricket. With an incredible batting strike rate of 157.36 and an IPL fifty to his name, Khan’s 16 ducks are perhaps a byproduct of his high-risk, high-reward role as a finisher at the death.

The 18-Duck Stalwarts: Karthik and Narine

Moving up the list, we find two stalwarts who have been instrumental to the success of their franchises: Dinesh Karthik and Sunil Narine, each with 18 ducks. Dinesh Karthik’s record is particularly interesting given his longevity. Spanning 17 seasons and 257 matches, his 18 ducks are part of a massive career total of 4,842 runs. Having played for multiple heavyweights including RCB, KKR, and Mumbai Indians, Karthik remains one of the most respected wicketkeeper-batters to ever grace the IPL.

Sunil Narine, the KKR icon, provides a different narrative. With 18 ducks in just 126 innings, Narine’s aggressive approach as either a top-order dynamo or a pinch-hitter often results in boom-or-bust outcomes. His staggering career strike rate of 165.30, paired with his ability to score rapid half-centuries and even a century, proves that he is far more than his record of zeros might suggest.

Topping the List: Rohit Sharma and Glenn Maxwell

The unfortunate top spot is shared by two of cricket’s most explosive talents: Rohit Sharma and Glenn Maxwell, both holding 19 ducks each. Rohit Sharma, a legend who has scored over 7,000 runs in the IPL, represents the volatility of the game. Even for a player of his caliber, the pressure of opening the innings has occasionally led to early dismissals, including a notable four-ball duck against Jofra Archer during the 2026 season.

Glenn Maxwell’s presence at the top of this list is equally striking. Recording 19 ducks in just 135 innings, the Australian all-rounder averages a duck roughly every seven innings. While his batting style is famously aggressive, leading to 18 half-centuries, his career has been defined by extreme peaks and valleys. His 2014, 2021, and 2023 seasons highlight his ability to dominate, even if the frequency of his scoreless innings remains a point of conversation for statisticians.

Ultimately, these statistics do not diminish the legends of these players. Rather, they serve as a reminder that even the greatest batters in the world are susceptible to the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where the margin between a match-winning innings and a first-ball duck is often measured in millimeters.