Adelaide: In a twist that underscores cricket’s unpredictable nature, Virat Kohli has etched his name into an unenviable record, joining the top five Indian batsmen with the most ducks in One Day International (ODI) history.
During India’s recent defeat against Australia in the second ODI at Adelaide Oval, Kohli suffered his 18th ODI duck, a rare low in his glittering career, marking back-to-back zeros in the series.
Topping the list is the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who, despite his monumental 463-match career, was dismissed 20 times for zero. Following closely is former pacer Javagal Srinath, with 19 ducks in 229 ODIs, his tail-ender role often leaving him vulnerable. Spin wizard Anil Kumble claims the third spot with 18 ducks across 269 matches, his batting struggles overshadowed by his bowling brilliance. Yuvraj Singh, the dynamic all-rounder, shares the fourth position with Kohli, also recording 18 ducks in 301 ODIs, his aggressive style occasionally leading to early dismissals.
Kohli’s inclusion, as a specialist batsman with a stellar 57.41 ODI average and 51 centuries, highlights the sport’s levelling power. His recent four-ball duck against Australia’s Xavier Bartlett, coupled with another in the series opener, marks the first time he’s been dismissed for zero in consecutive ODIs. Yet, his 18 ducks in 304 matches pale against his monumental contributions.
This unwanted milestone, as India battles in the ongoing Australia series, serves as a reminder that even cricketing titans face moments of mortality. Fans await Kohli’s rebound in Sydney, hoping the maestro rediscovers his run-scoring rhythm.