LisIPL Players With Most Ducks: A Deep Dive Into The Unwanted Record
The Unwanted Reality of IPL Batting Records
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is celebrated globally as a theater of excellence, where batting legends are born through towering sixes, acrobatic fielding, and match-winning performances. Fans flock to stadiums and screens to witness the brilliance of power-hitting. However, behind the glamour of record-breaking chases and elegant stroke-play, there exists a more somber statistic that even the greatest cricketers cannot always evade: the dreaded duck.
While it is commonly assumed that tailenders are the primary occupants of the bottom of the batting order, the reality of the tournament shows that even the most seasoned campaigners can struggle to put runs on the board. When we examine the LisIPL Players With Most Ducks, we uncover a list that features some of the most respected names in the sport. This article analyzes those who have found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard most frequently.
The 16-Duck Club: Chawla and Khan
Sharing the third spot on this list are two prominent spinners who have left an indelible mark on the IPL: Piyush Chawla and Rashid Khan. Both players have accumulated 16 ducks, though their roles and batting styles differ significantly.
Piyush Chawla, a veteran of 16 seasons, recorded his 16 ducks across 92 innings in 192 matches. Representing four different franchises, Chawla has primarily been recognized for his bowling prowess. His batting record, while modest with 624 runs at an average of 11.14, serves as a reminder of the challenges tailenders face in the shortest format. Nevertheless, fans fondly remember his crucial cameos, particularly his efforts in the 2014 final for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
On the other hand, Rashid Khan represents a more modern breed of all-rounder. Despite his 16 ducks, the Afghanistan star is often relied upon for his aggressive intent in the death overs. With a staggering career strike rate of 157.36 and a half-century already to his name, his high duck count is arguably a byproduct of his ‘all-or-nothing’ approach at the crease.
The 18-Duck Threshold: Karthik and Narine
Moving up to 18 ducks, we find two stalwarts who have defined the Kolkata Knight Riders’ journey over the years: Dinesh Karthik and Sunil Narine.
Dinesh Karthik, a quintessential IPL journeyman, played 257 matches over 17 seasons. His 18 ducks must be viewed through the lens of his longevity; he is one of the most prolific wicketkeeper-batters in the league’s history, having amassed 4,842 runs across a multitude of franchises, including RCB, Delhi Capitals, and Mumbai Indians. His contribution to the IPL is far greater than his duck tally suggests.
Sunil Narine, the long-term KKR zealot, has also reached the 18-duck mark. However, his contribution to the team is often defined by his role as a pinch-hitter. Whether opening the batting or slogging in the final overs, Narine’s career is marked by incredible highs, including seven fifties and a century. With a career strike rate of 165.30, his aggressive style of play naturally invites more risk, leading to the occasional scoreless result.
The Top of the List: Sharma and Maxwell
At the pinnacle of this unwanted statistic are two superstars: Rohit Sharma and Glenn Maxwell, each holding 19 ducks to their name.
Rohit Sharma is one of the only two players to cross the 7,000-run threshold in IPL history. Despite this monumental achievement, his record includes 19 ducks across 276 innings. His most recent entry into this statistic occurred during the final home match of the 2026 season at the Wankhede Stadium, where he was dismissed for a four-ball duck by Jofra Archer. It serves as a humbling reminder that even the most technically gifted openers are susceptible to the pressures of the T20 format.
Glenn Maxwell, the Australian powerhouse, shares this top spot but does so in a much higher frequency. Having played 135 innings, Maxwell records a duck roughly once every seven innings. His IPL career has been a rollercoaster of explosive fifties and lean patches. While he has hit 18 half-centuries, 15 of those were concentrated in just three seasons (2014, 2021, and 2023), illustrating the high-variance nature of his batting style.
In conclusion, while the LisIPL Players With Most Ducks might not be the title any cricketer aspires to hold, it remains an inevitable part of the game’s evolution. As the IPL continues to grow, these statistics offer a unique perspective on the risks taken by the sport’s greatest entertainers.
