Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma - who has scored the most ducks in Tests, IPL, ODIs and T20Is?
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are two of the finest batters to have ever played for the Indian cricket team. They have scored a truckload of runs across formats and have been on the top of their game for several years on a consistent basis.
Scoring runs and winning games has been their primary goal. However, even the greatest batters can fall prey to getting dismissed without scoring at times. This becomes even more significant when it involves modern-day legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Both Indian superstars have entertained fans with their stunning performances. However, they have also faced moments where they were sent back to the hut without troubling the scorers.
Even the greatest of players are not immune to the uncertainties of the game. Both have accumulated a fair number of ducks in their illustrious careers across formats.
Here, we will compare the number of ducks scored by Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Tests, IPL, ODIs, and T20Is, respectively.
Test Cricket: Kohli leads with 15 ducks
In the longest format of the game, Virat Kohli leads in this unwanted record. The former Indian skipper has been dismissed for a duck 15 times in his Test career. Kohli, who made his Test debut in 2011, has played 115 Tests so far. His most recent duck, 38th in international cricket, also came in this format, during the first innings of the ongoing Test against New Zealand at Bengaluru.
On the other hand, Rohit Sharma, who made his Test debut in 2013, has played fewer games in this format. Across 61 matches, Rohit has been dismissed for a duck five times, much lower compared to Kohli. Hence, it is clear that Kohli has encountered more instances of returning to the pavilion without scoring in this format.
IPL: Rohit ahead with 17 ducks
In the high-pressure environment of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Rohit Sharma is ahead with the most number of ducks as compared to Virat. The former Mumbai Indians skipper has been dismissed 17 times for a duck in 252 innings. Rohit's role in leading Mumbai to five IPL titles is undeniable, but the pressure has gotten to him as far as batting is concerned at times.
Virat Kohli, the former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain, has been dismissed 10 times for a duck in the IPL. Across 244 innings, he has been the backbone of RCB's batting and despite the odd ducks, his records speak for himself.
ODI Cricket: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma on par with 16 ducks
In One Day Internationals (ODIs), both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are tied when it comes to ducks, with each recording 16 in their careers. Kohli, known for his consistency in 50-over cricket, has played 295 ODIs, while Rohit, the Indian captain, has been a vital part of the one-day setup, with 265 matches to his name. Despite their prowess and match-winning abilities, they have both faced the rare embarrassment of failing to score on 16 occasions in this format.
T20I Cricket: Rohit ahead with 12 ducks
When it comes to the shortest format of the game, Rohit Sharma is slightly ahead of Virat Kohli in terms of ducks. Rohit, who is regarded as one of the most explosive openers in T20Is, has been dismissed without scoring 12 times in his T20I career. His journey in T20 internationals concluded at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Virat Kohli, meanwhile, has registered seven ducks in T20Is from 117 innings. While Kohli’s game in T20Is has been about controlled aggression and anchoring the innings, he has fallen for a duck fewer times than his teammate Rohit.