It is considered as one of the biggest embarrassment for a batsman to get out for zero. Sometimes batsmen get out for consecutive ducks as well when they are going through a tough phase but this Indian batsman had a long streak of ducks, as many as 7 against a single team. Australia had a formidable bowling attack in his time but that did not give him an excuse to record 7 ducks on the trot (Test matches). This came from a batsman who has scored the fastest half-century in ODIs for India, a record which still stands till date. The batsman is none other than Ajit Agarkar.
It all started at Adelaide as India were on their tour to Australia (1999-2000) as he got out for a duck in the second innings. But, the humiliation started at Melbourne when he got for a duck in both the innings. The ritual continued as he got out for a golden duck at Sydney Cricket Ground. That was followed by another duck at Melbourne Cricket Ground where he managed to defend the first ball but got out off the next.
However, Agarkar succeeded in scoring a single in the next match and celebrated it by lifting his bat. The Australian players made fun of Agarkar for doing that and after as well. The horror for Agarkar continued as Australia toured India in 2000-01 where Agarkar got for ducks in both innings playing at his home ground Wankhede.
This is a bizarre record that any batsman would not want, but, that does not take away the achievements of India’s bowling all-rounder Ajit Agarkar. He is the fastest to 50 wickets in ODIs after Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis. He has 288 ODI wickets to his name and despite the 7 ducks, he has scored a century in Tests as well and that too at Lord’s which is a big achievement.
Copyright © 2024 IE Online Media Services Private Ltd. All Rights Reserved.