In October 2025, during the India-Australia ODI series, Virat Kohli made headlines, not for another record-breaking century, but for an unwanted milestone. He became the active player with the most ducks in One-Day Internationals (ODIs).
Ducks, which refer to dismissals for zero runs, are part of cricket’s ups and downs. Even the world’s best batters face moments when nothing goes their way. Here’s a look at the seven active players who have recorded the most ducks in ODIs, including some of the biggest names in world cricket.
7. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) – 12 Ducks
One of Bangladesh’s greatest ever players, Shakib Al Hasan, also has 12 ODI ducks. As an all-rounder who bats in the middle order, Shakib often comes in during rebuilding phases or high-pressure chases. Such situations can lead to risky dismissals, particularly against spin-friendly conditions or sharp seam bowling.
However, Shakib’s overall record, over 7,000 ODI runs and more than 300 wickets, makes him one of the most complete players in world cricket. His ability to bounce back after failures shows his resilience and class.
6. Glenn Maxwell (Australia) – 12 Ducks
Glenn Maxwell, Australia’s explosive all-rounder, with 12 ODI ducks. Maxwell is known for his unorthodox shot-making and fearless batting approach. Because he bats aggressively from the first ball, especially in middle and death overs, his risk of early dismissal is naturally higher.
Maxwell often gets out for zero when he tries to score quickly, but his match-winning knocks, like his record double century which he made against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup, show why Australia trusts his aggressive style. His contribution with both bat and ball makes him one of the most valuable limited-overs players today.
5. Jos Buttler (England) – 15 Ducks
England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler is one of the most dangerous finishers in world cricket. However, his aggressive batting style also means he has 15 ducks in ODIs. Buttler often walks in during high-pressure situations, either when early wickets have fallen or when England need quick runs in the final overs.
Buttler often faces tough bowling, yorkers and slower balls, which are aimed to stop his fast scoring; it sometimes gets him out early. Despite this, Buttler has been instrumental in England’s ODI success, including their 2019 World Cup victory, and his quick scoring and game-changing knocks make up for those rare failures.
4. Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe) – 16 Ducks
Veteran Zimbabwe batter Brendan Taylor, who has been the backbone of his country’s batting lineup for years, also finds himself in this list with 16 ducks. Taylor has played over 200 ODIs for Zimbabwe and often shoulders the responsibility of anchoring the innings.
Facing top-quality opposition frequently, especially against teams like India, Australia, and South Africa, has tested his technique. Limited support from other batters and challenging pitches have contributed to his higher duck count. Yet, Taylor’s contributions, more than 6,000 runs in ODIs and multiple centuries, have made him one of Zimbabwe’s most respected cricketers.
3. Rohit Sharma (India) – 16 Ducks
India’s former captain Rohit Sharma, one of the modern-day giants, has also recorded 16 ducks in ODIs. Rohit is famous for his double centuries and elegant stroke play, his place on this list may surprise fans. But as an opener, he often faces the new ball and tough bowling conditions that test even the best.
Rohit’s batting approach, starting slow and then building huge innings, sometimes leads to early dismissals when bowlers find swing or bounce. Still, with more than 10,000 runs in ODIs, he is among the most successful openers ever. Rohit’s duck record shows that aggression always comes up with some risk.
2. Litton Das (Bangladesh) – 16 Ducks
Bangladesh’s wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das ranks second among active players with 16 ducks in ODIs. Known for his attacking style at the top of the order, Litton often takes on fast bowlers from the very first over. This aggressive approach can sometimes backfire, especially against quality new-ball attacks in testing conditions.
Since his debut in 2015, Litton has become an important player for Bangladesh. He has scored centuries against teams like India and Sri Lanka. But as an opener, he is more likely to get out early than middle-order batters. His record shows how important patience and shot selection are when facing new bowlers.
1. Virat Kohli (India) – 18 Ducks
Virat Kohli, widely regarded as one of the finest batters of the modern era, surprisingly tops this list with 18 ducks in ODIs as of October 2025. Having played over 300 ODIs for India, Kohli’s tally of zeroes stands out not because he fails often, but because he has played so many matches and innings. His back-to-back ducks during the 2025 Australia tour brought this statistic into the spotlight.
Even with this unwanted record, Kohli’s ODI stats remain incredible, over 14,000 runs at an average of 57.41. For someone who is so consistent, his ducks simply show that every batter, no matter how great, has tough days. Most of his ducks have come while facing the new ball or in conditions favoring bowlers early in the innings.
Conclusion
Cricket is a game of fine margins, a small mistake can turn a great innings into a golden duck. The presence of legends like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jos Buttler on this list proves that even the best in the world can falter. What truly matters is how they respond. Ducks may make headlines for a day, but centuries and match-winning performances ensure these players remain legends of the game.
Written by Kinjal Walantra