Zaheer Khan leads list of top five Indian cricketers with most international ducks
Five Indian cricketers — Zaheer Khan, Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma, Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble — rank as the country's top five for most ducks in international cricket, in a list published on October 3, 2026 with statistics updated till October 2026. Zaheer Khan is listed first on the compilation.
Cricket’s unpredictability means players who produce match-winning knocks can also record frequent dismissals without scoring; the source notes the contrast between centuries and ducks as part of the game’s ebb and flow. The piece frames these unwanted batting returns alongside each player’s broader contributions to India, underscoring that such records are an unwelcome but recurring element of careers.
Anil Kumble is described as India’s most successful bowler and was instrumental for India in the 90s and early 2000s; the article states he registered the fifth-most ducks while batting for India. Kumble’s Test batting average is given as 17.77 and he is credited with a Test hundred at The Oval; the write-up adds that he played a number of vital innings despite carrying that unwanted record.
Harbhajan Singh is noted for his lower-order runs and gritty approach, with the article recording 37 Test ducks for him and a Test batting average of 18.22. It states he scored two Test hundreds, both against New Zealand, and highlights a notable moment when he hit a six off Mohammad Amir in the Asia Cup 2010 against Pakistan.
Ishant Sharma is reported to have 40 ducks in his career, typically batting at positions No. 8-11 and described as not a prolific scorer with the bat. The article says Ishant is known for his ability to bowl long spells and records that he has over 300 wickets to his name.
Virat Kohli is labelled the most surprising inclusion on the list and is recorded as having 41 ducks, 15 of which came in Test cricket. The piece reiterates his offensive totals as more than 25,000 international runs and 80 centuries and states that the handful of ducks does not define his career.
Zaheer Khan tops the list with 43 ducks, according to the compilation, and is profiled as India’s premier fast bowler for nearly a decade. The article gives his batting average as 11.95 with three half-centuries, cites a notable innings of 75 against Bangladesh while batting at number 11 in 2004, and states he snared over 600 wickets for India.
All statistics are noted as updated till October 2026. For further updates the article directs readers to follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, download the Khel Now Android App or iOS App and join their communities on WhatsApp and Telegram.
