In cricket, dismissing at a duck can be very frustrating as a batsman, especially when you have framed a mindset to score big in that very game. Also, if you have the onus in a certain situation to score big, a duck is the least you can ask for. Over the years a great many players have faced a similar situation while being at the crease. Not only did they fail to score a single run but they also failed at creating an impact during the game through any possible way with their bat.
In this article, we look at the top 10 players to be dismissed for a duck in One Day International (ODI).
Most Ducks in ODI History
Rank | Name | Ducks | Matches | Runs |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sanath Jayasuriya | 34 | 445 | 13430 |
2 | Shahid Afridi | 30 | 398 | 8064 |
3 | Wasim Akram | 28 | 356 | 3717 |
4 | Mahela Jayawardene | 28 | 448 | 12650 |
5 | Lasith Malinga | 26 | 226 | 567 |
6 | Muttiah Muralitharan | 25 | 350 | 674 |
7 | Chaminda Vaas | 25 | 322 | 2025 |
8 | Chris Gayle | 25 | 301 | 10,480 |
9 | Romesh Kaluwitharana | 24 | 189 | 3711 |
10. | Danniel Vettori | 23 | 295 | 2253 |
1. Sanath Jayasuriya (34 ducks)

Surprisingly finding himself on the top of the list, left-handed Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka was one of the most dangerous batsmen of his time. However, the all-rounder has had to face the frustration of walking out without scoring a single run on several occasions. Jayasuriya had 34 ducks from 445 matches with 13430 runs in the bank.
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2. Shahid Afridi (30 ducks)

Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has had an excellent career as an all-rounder and rightly so, his batting as well as his bowling statistics had exceptional results. Afridi played a total of 398 matches from which he had 8064 runs but had to endure the pinch of not moving the scoreboard by any margin on 30 occasions.
3. Wasim Akram (28 ducks)

Known as the Swing King of Time, Wasim Akram made sure that he sent numerous batsmen off the crease as soon as they came in. However, Akram could not establish a good rapport with his duck records either. The left-hander is also one of the top batsmen to be dismissed for a duck with a record of 28 in ODIs. Akram scored a total of 3717 runs from 356 matches.
4. Mahela Jayawardene (28 ducks)

Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene has had numerous achievements to his name in batting. However, the right-hander also added another achievement to his list which he would not think about considering one. Jayawardene also holds the record for the second-highest number of ducks from his country after Jayasuriya in ODI cricket. The former Sri Lankan was dismissed after having a zero in front of his name on 28 occasions from his 448 matches, where he has over 12500 runs.
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5. Lasith Malinga (26 ducks)

Lasith Malinga was one of the pro-efficient bowlers for Sri Lanka in his time. The right-hander’s outstanding ability to have picked three hat tricks in One-Day Internationals shows how Malinga would have succeeded in sending many batsmen back to the pavilion without scoring a single run. Interestingly, the slingy right-arm bowler had to pay the price too, a hefty one. Malinga is the fifth batsman in ODI cricket to be dismissed for a duck, with 26 ducks on the board.
6. Muttiah Muralitharan (25 ducks)

Another bowler and Sri Lankan on the list, Muralitharan was known to spin his web at crucial junctures of the game. However, the ‘doosra-specialist’ could not capitalize much on his batting. Muralitharan has the record of being dismissed for a zero on 25 occasions in 350 matches.
7. Chaminda Vaas (25 ducks)

Chaminda Vaas was yet another successful bowler for Sri Lanka. Vaas had unparalleled bowling records to his name. However, the right-hander is the fifth player from his country to have the greatest number of ducks in ODIs. Chaminda had 2025 runs from 322 matches with 25 ducks to his name, making him the seventh different player to feature in the list.
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8. Chris Gayle (25 ducks)

Known for his explosive and muscular hits, Chris Gayle would not bother scoring runs by running between the wickets. All he needed was a few deliveries to give a blistering reply to the bowling unit. However, the left-hander would not really be successful in setting up his batting show on many occasions where he failed to even score a run. With over 10,000 runs from 301 matches, Gayle had 25 ducks to his name, making him the record-holder of this feat from his country.
9. Romesh Kaluwitharana (24 ducks)
Romesh Kaluwitharana was an explosive and aggressive batsman from Sri Lanka and had a role to play in many great victories for his country between the 1990s and early 2000s. Romesh had 3711 runs from 189 matches with 24 ducks to his name.
10. Daniel Vettori (23 ducks)

Kiwi left-arm spin bowler Daniel Vettori is the first Kiwi batsman to hold the highest record of ducks in ODIs. Vettori was known for his impressive spin bowling that would often keep the batsmen stifled. However, Vettori could not restrain the number of times he left the crease without scoring a single run. The Kiwi left-hander was dismissed for a duck 23 times in 295 matches where he had 2253 runs.