Top 5 players with most ducks in IPL history

Each IPL season brings fresh milestones—massive team totals, blistering individual scores, and exceptional bowling spells that keep fans on the edge of their seats. As the most exciting T20 league in the world, the IPL is a stage where records are constantly rewritten and new stars emerge.

But not every record is something players are proud of. Alongside the glory, there are also statistics that reflect the tougher side of the game. In a format built on fast scoring and high risk, batters often have to take chances from the very first ball. Sometimes those risks don’t pay off, and even some of the most skilled and consistent players end up recording ducks more often than expected.

These less flattering records highlight the unpredictable nature of cricket. A player’s form, conditions, and a bit of luck can all influence outcomes in a matter of deliveries. In the end, it’s this balance between success and failure that makes the IPL—and cricket as a whole—so challenging, compelling, and human.

Here are the top players with the most ducks in IPL history, led by Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who has been dismissed for a duck 19 times.

5. Rashid Khan – 16 ducks

Rashid Khan is widely regarded as one of the finest bowlers in IPL history and continues to rise among the league’s all-time leading wicket-takers. Beyond his bowling brilliance, he is also a highly effective lower-order batter who can change the course of a game in the final overs. Known for his aggressive intent and fearless approach, Rashid often walks in when very little time is left, requiring him to make an immediate impact with every delivery he faces.

Because of this high-risk role, he frequently goes for big shots from the outset, aiming to maximize every opportunity to score quickly. This approach has occasionally resulted in him being dismissed for a duck on 16 occasions. However, teams are more than willing to accept this trade-off, as his match-winning contributions with the ball far outweigh these rare batting failures, making him an invaluable asset to any side.

4. Sunil Narine – 17 ducks

Sunil Narine is considered one of the true IPL legends and has consistently been one of the toughest bowlers to face in T20 cricket. His longevity is remarkable, and even today, many batters struggle to read and understand his variations.

Along with his bowling, his contribution with the bat has also been significant for Kolkata Knight Riders. He has often been used at the top of the order, especially during their title-winning campaigns, where he played a crucial role in giving explosive starts.

His batting approach is straightforward—attack from the very first ball and make the most of the powerplay. Because of this aggressive intent, he sometimes gets out early, and has 17 ducks to his name. However, his high-risk style is reflected in his strike rate of around 167, highlighting how impactful and destructive he can be in T20 cricket.

3. Rohit Sharma – 18 ducks

Rohit Sharma is widely regarded as one of the greatest captains in IPL history, thanks to his calm leadership and consistent success with Mumbai Indians. Under his captaincy, MI has become one of the most dominant franchises in the tournament.

However, his form with the bat hasn’t been as consistent in recent years. Since around 2015, he hasn’t produced many standout seasons with the bat, and his contributions have often gone under the radar—largely because his leadership impact has overshadowed individual performances.

As an opener for MI, Rohit has occasionally struggled against left-arm pacers who can swing the new ball early in the innings. For instance, he recorded his 18th duck against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk in IPL 2025.

With at least one more season likely ahead of him in MI colours, there’s a possibility that this number could increase further by the end of the IPL 2026 season.

2. Dinesh Karthik – 18 ducks

Another surprising name on this list is Dinesh Karthik. He played 257 matches in the IPL for several teams, most recently representing RCB before retiring. Unfortunately, he also features on this list because of the role he often had to play in the batting order.

Most of the time, Karthik batted in the middle or lower middle order (around No. 5 or 6), where he was expected to attack from the outset with little time to settle in. As a result, he frequently walked in under pressure and had to go for quick runs immediately. Toward the later stages of his career, he also experienced a few dips in form, which contributed to him ending up with 18 ducks in the IPL.

1. Glenn Maxwell – 19 ducks

Glenn Maxwell holds the unwanted record for the most ducks, with 19 in total. The Australian all-rounder has often been seen as an inconsistent performer in the IPL, and many feel he hasn’t fully lived up to the big expectations or the hefty price tags attached to him.

While he did have a standout season in 2014 with Punjab and produced a few solid campaigns later for RCB, he has largely struggled to maintain that level across seasons. His performances have fluctuated, and his aggressive, high-risk batting approach—often going for big shots early in his innings—has sometimes backfired.

This inconsistency has been frustrating for both franchises and fans. Following another underwhelming season in IPL 2025, Glenn Maxwell chose not to register for the 2026 IPL season and instead decided to participate in the PSL.

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