Top 10 Players with Most Golden Ducks in ODI Cricket: Stunning Records

ODI cricket has produced many memorable innings, but it has also witnessed some of the most shocking dismissals. One of the most disappointing moments for any batsman is falling for a golden duck. Interestingly, even legendary names who have dominated bowlers have suffered this fate multiple times. In this detailed list, we take a look at the top 10 players with the Most Golden Ducks in ODI cricket, explained one by one with stats and stories.

List of Top 10 Players with Most Golden Ducks in ODI Cricket

10. GP Wickramasinghe

GP Wickramasinghe may not be a household name in world cricket, but he holds a unique place in the record books with 7 golden ducks. Representing Sri Lanka, his batting career was short and largely inconsistent. With a batting average of 8.60, he found it difficult to compete against world-class bowlers. His career highlights were rare, and his tendency to fall early made him stand out in the Most Golden Ducks in ODI list.

Despite his batting struggles, Wickramasinghe played a fair role as part of the Sri Lankan setup. Lower-order batsmen often face difficulties, but the frequency of his golden ducks made his journey tough. Though overshadowed by bigger names, his record ensures his name is remembered whenever cricket’s unwanted statistics are discussed, especially among those with the Most Golden Ducks in ODI.

Player	Country	Matches	Runs	Highest Score	100s	Ducks	Golden Ducks
GP Wickramasinghe	Sri Lanka	134	344	32	0	12	7

9. Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting is considered one of the greatest batsmen and captains in cricket history, yet even legends are not free from records like the Most Golden Ducks in ODI. Scoring over 13,700 runs in ODIs, Ponting was the backbone of Australia’s dominance, but he also faced 7 golden ducks in his career. While the number may seem small compared to his achievements, it highlights how no one can escape the unpredictability of cricket.

Ponting’s aggressive stroke play often put bowlers under pressure, but on rare occasions, he was dismissed instantly. These failures, however, are insignificant when compared to his World Cup triumphs and match-winning innings. Still, the record of Most Golden Ducks in ODI includes Ponting, reminding us that even the most consistent batsmen can have their off days.

Player	Country	Matches	Runs	Highest Score	100s	Ducks	Golden Ducks
Ricky Ponting	Australia	375	13704	164	30	20	7

8. Chaminda Vaas

Chaminda Vaas was one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable swing bowlers, celebrated for his ability to take wickets early in the innings. However, with the bat, he had frequent struggles, recording 8 golden ducks in ODIs. His inclusion in the Most Golden Ducks in ODI list highlights how many bowlers, despite their cricketing brilliance, struggled when it came to batting.

Although Vaas scored over 2,000 ODI runs, his batting role was limited to supporting the top order. On several occasions, he was dismissed on the first ball, adding to his tally of golden ducks. Despite this, his bowling legacy remains unmatched, proving that a few batting flaws cannot overshadow greatness. Still, when statistics of the Most Golden Ducks in ODI are discussed, Vaas’s name inevitably appears.

Player	Country	Matches	Runs	Highest Score	100s	Ducks	Golden Ducks
Chaminda Vaas	Sri Lanka	322	2025	50*	0	25	8

7. Javagal Srinath

Javagal Srinath was India’s premier fast bowler in the 1990s, leading the attack with consistency and pace. With the bat, however, his career was filled with challenges. Srinath collected 8 golden ducks, placing him in the group of cricketers with the Most Golden Ducks in ODI history. His batting average of just above 10 shows his limitations in contributing runs.

Despite being dismissed on the first ball multiple times, Srinath’s overall contribution to Indian cricket was priceless. His fiery spells and ability to pick wickets in crucial moments made him a match-winner. Yet, when cricket fans recall unwanted stats like the Most Golden Ducks in ODI, Srinath’s name often surfaces. This contrast of brilliance with the ball and weakness with the bat makes him a fascinating entry on this list.

Player	Country	Matches	Runs	Highest Score	100s	Ducks	Golden Ducks
Javagal Srinath	India	229	883	53	0	19	8

6. Muttiah Muralitharan

Muttiah Muralitharan is celebrated as the greatest spin bowler in cricket history, but batting was never his strength. Across his ODI career, he registered 9 golden ducks, making him one of the prominent names in the Most Golden Ducks in ODI record books. While his runs barely crossed 600, his legacy was built on his unmatched 534 ODI wickets.

Muralitharan’s batting position often exposed him to quick dismissals against the best bowlers. His fearless attempts sometimes ended in first-ball failures. However, these records hardly diminish his greatness, as his contribution with the ball far outweighs his batting flaws. Still, his name remains tied to the Most Golden Ducks in ODI, a reminder that even the greatest bowlers could not master every aspect of the game.

Player	Country	Matches	Runs	HS	100s	Ducks	Golden Ducks
Muttiah Muralitharan	Sri Lanka	350	674	33*	0	25	9

5. Sanath Jayasuriya

Sanath Jayasuriya revolutionized ODI cricket with his aggressive approach at the top of the order. He scored over 13,000 runs with 28 centuries, but his attacking mindset sometimes led to early dismissals, including 9 golden ducks. His inclusion in the Most Golden Ducks in ODI list proves that even trailblazers faced their share of setbacks.

Despite the golden ducks, Jayasuriya’s contribution to Sri Lanka’s success, including the 1996 World Cup win, is unmatched. He played fearlessly, putting bowlers under immense pressure. On occasions, though, his aggression resulted in instant dismissals. Still, his batting legacy remains strong, and the record of Most Golden Ducks in ODI only adds a layer of human imperfection to an otherwise extraordinary career.

Player	Country	Matches	Runs	Highest Score	100s	Ducks	Golden Ducks
Sanath Jayasuriya	Sri Lanka	445	13430	189	28	34	9

4. Moin Khan

Moin Khan was Pakistan’s reliable wicketkeeper-batsman through the 1990s and early 2000s. Known for his fighting spirit, he often played crucial innings under pressure. However, his batting style also resulted in 10 golden ducks, placing him firmly among the Most Golden Ducks in ODI holders. His batting average of 23 shows his ability to contribute, but inconsistency sometimes led to quick exits.

Despite his struggles with golden ducks, Moin Khan was respected for his aggressive approach and ability to finish games. As a wicketkeeper, he was dependable, but his record with golden ducks makes him an interesting entry on this list. His name often comes up in discussions of the Most Golden Ducks in ODI, showcasing how even dependable batsmen had their vulnerabilities.

Player	Country	Matches	Runs	HS	100s	Ducks	Golden Ducks
Moin Khan	Pakistan	219	3266	72*	0	17	10

3. Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram, the master of swing, was one of the greatest bowlers the world has ever seen. But when it came to batting, he often faced difficulties, recording 10 golden ducks in ODIs. His tally makes him a key figure in the Most Golden Ducks in ODI record list. Despite scoring over 3,700 runs, his batting was inconsistent, especially under pressure situations.

Akram’s bowling brilliance often overshadowed his batting struggles, and rightly so. He was Pakistan’s match-winner on countless occasions with the ball. Yet, his record of Most Golden Ducks in ODI stands as a reminder that every great player has a weaker side. His career remains a symbol of excellence in one department, even if the other produced some unwanted statistics.

Player	Country	Matches	Runs	HS	100s	Ducks	Golden Ducks
Wasim Akram	Pakistan	356	3717	86	0	28	10

2. Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi, famously known as “Boom Boom,” thrilled fans with explosive batting. Yet his aggressive style also resulted in frequent early dismissals, including 12 golden ducks. Afridi’s name is one of the most recognized in the Most Golden Ducks in ODI list. Despite scoring over 8,000 runs and 6 centuries, he was often unpredictable at the crease.

Afridi’s fearless attitude meant that bowlers always had a chance of dismissing him instantly. His batting brought joy and heartbreak in equal measure, making him one of the most exciting cricketers ever. His Most Golden Ducks in ODI record does little to harm his legacy as one of Pakistan’s greatest entertainers, proving that risk-taking sometimes leads to failure but also to unforgettable success.

Player	Country	Matches	Runs	HS	100s	Ducks	Golden Ducks
Shahid Afridi	Pakistan	398	8064	124	6	30	12

1. Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka’s yorker king, was feared as a bowler but struggled heavily as a batsman. He holds the unwanted record of the Most Golden Ducks in ODI, with a staggering 13. Malinga’s batting average below 7 highlights how often he was dismissed cheaply, including several times on the very first ball.

Despite these batting failures, Malinga’s reputation as one of the greatest death bowlers remains untouched. His unique slingy action and wicket-taking ability made him a legend. But when cricket fans discuss the Most Golden Ducks in ODI, Malinga’s name sits firmly at the top. His case shows the sharp contrast between batting struggles and bowling genius, making him one of the most fascinating cricketers in ODI history.

Player	Country	Matches	Runs	HS	100s	Ducks	Golden Ducks
Lasith Malinga	Sri Lanka	226	567	56	0	26	13

READ MORE:

• Top 10 Players with Most Golden Ducks in Test Cricket History
• Top 10 Legendary Players Scoring 100 in Their Hundredth ODI Match

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