These cricketers opened on the worst note!
When a batter debuts in international cricket, they aim to make a memorable entrance with a significant score. However, things don't always go as planned, and the debutant might end up with a meager score or, worse, a duck. There have been several instances where Indian batters scored a duck on their T20I debut. Here, we’ll take a look at the list of Indian batters who faced this unfortunate start.
MS Dhoni became the first Indian batter to score a duck on his T20I debut against South Africa in 2006, which was also India’s first match in the shortest format. Batting at No. 4 while chasing 127 runs, Dhoni was dismissed on his second delivery without scoring. He edged an outside off delivery from Charles Langeveldt onto the stumps, ending his debut inning abruptly. Despite the early setback, Dhoni went on to become one of the greatest finishers in cricket history, but his T20I debut remains a memorable moment for its unexpected twist.
The second instance occurred nearly a decade later, when KL Rahul made his T20I debut for India in the first match of a three-game series in Harare. Chasing a target of 170 runs, Rahul was bowled out on the very first ball of India’s innings, registering an unwanted golden duck on his debut. An outside-off delivery from Donald Tiripano took an inside edge off Rahul’s bat and landed straight on the off stump. Despite Rahul's early dismissal, the match was closely contested, but India ultimately lost by 2 runs. This marked another memorable, albeit unfortunate, debut for an Indian batter in T20I cricket.
Another Indian opener had an unlucky outing on his T20I debut when Prithvi Shaw played his first T20I match against Sri Lanka in 2021. India was put into bat first, and Shaw opened the innings alongside captain Shikhar Dhawan. However, Shaw’s stay at the crease was brief as he nicked an outswinger from Dushmantha Chameera to the keeper. The right-hander returned to the dugout on the very first delivery, registering a golden duck on his debut. Despite this unfortunate start, Shaw’s potential and talent remain highly regarded, and he continues to be a promising prospect for Indian cricket. This instance added to the list of Indian batters who faced a challenging start in T20I cricket.
Abhishek Sharma became the fourth Indian batter to register a duck on his T20I debut, following in the footsteps of KL Rahul by scoring a duck against Zimbabwe. Having had a memorable outing in the 2024 IPL, expectations were high for him to start strong in the first T20I. Unfortunately, the left-handed opener top-edged the ball, resulting in an easy catch and leaving him with a 4-ball duck. However, Abhishek quickly bounced back in the next match, delivering a stunning performance by scoring a magnificent century off just 46 balls. His remarkable comeback reflected his talent and determination, proving he has a bright future ahead in international cricket.
Despite having ducks initially, every player on this list went on to achieve monumental success. MS Dhoni’s career is historic, as is KL Rahul's, while both Prithvi and Abhishek had success and a long career ahead!
