Most T20I ducks by Indians
The emergence of T20 cricket has handed batters the license to take a more belligerent approach to the game. But it is a double-edged sword as batters often perish for low scores in order to assert their dominance against the bowlers. India, a cricketing powerhouse renowned for its indomitable batting prowess, is no stranger to the aforementioned occurrences. On that note, let’s look at the Indian batters who have been dismissed without opening their account most times in the shortest format of the game.
Virat Kohli – 4 ducks
A surprise inclusion on the list because Virat Kohli has been one of the most consistent cricketers over the last decade. The former Indian captain is the second leading run scorer in the format and is hot on the heels of his compatriot Rohit Sharma. But even the best in the business fails to live up to the occasion at times and there is no shame in that if you boast of an astonishing average of 50.84 in a format that usually sees batters take a more haphazard approach.
KL Rahul – 5 ducks
KL Rahul was drafted into the Indian team to be a lynchpin of the red-ball side and while the stylish batter proved his worth in red-ball cricket, it is his belligerence in the shorter formats of the game that has added another dimension to the Indian batting order. A designated opener for the team, Rahul can play in several positions and has done so several times, with great success. But the flamboyant batter is no stranger to failures and has been dismissed for a duck on five instances in 62 innings for India.
Rohit Sharma – 9 ducks
India’s all-format skipper Rohit Sharma has several records to his name, but this is one he won’t be too proud of. Rohit Sharma is the leading run-scorer in T20Is and is one of the most gifted opening batters to have played the game. But one of his weaknesses has been his susceptibility to the incoming deliveries earlier in his innings. The batter has been dismissed with opening his account on nine occasions, with the last three coming in the last 12 months as the mercurial batter has adopted a more aggressive approach at the crease, especially in the powerplay.