Top 10 Batsmen Who Started Their Careers with Duck But Made it Big Afterwards

It is saying that “The first impression is the best impression”, which doesn’t hold good in sport. In fact, there are some players who didn’t have the best of starts to their International career. They were dismissed for naught in their maiden match. However, they were able to bounce back in the later innings to cement their place in the side.

Thus, these players went on to be big players for their respective side. They didn’t let their first match demons get the better off them in the upcoming matches.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 batsmen who started their careers with Duck but made it big afterwards. 

Michael Bevan

Michael Bevan scored a fine 82 in the first innings in his debut Test match against Pakistan. However, Bevan failed to trouble the scorers in the second innings. He was bowled on the first ball by Wasim Akram.

Subsequently, Michael Bevan went on to become the best finisher the game ever saw. The southpaw batsman had an outstanding average of 53.58 in the 232 ODI matches. The left-hander scored 6912 runs and finished most matches for the Australian side.

Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle didn’t have the best of starts in his International career. The southpaw batsman scored 33 in the first innings. However, the Windies left-hander could not open his account in the second innings.

Gayle was dismissed on the first ball by Heath Streak. However, he went on to score 7215 runs in the Test format. The Windies batter also scored a fine triple hundred in his 103 Test match career.

Furthermore, Gayle achieved great heights in the shortest format of the game.

Allan Border

Allan Border scored 29 in his debut innings. However. the southpaw batsman was dismissed for zero in the second inning. Unfortunately, the left-hander was run-out after facing 12 deliveries.

In fact, Border went on to become one of Australia’s best captains. He scored 11174 runs in the 156 Test matches he played for the Aussies. Border also led Australia to their maiden World Cup title in 1987.

Saeed Anwar

Saeed Anwar not only bagged a duck on his Test debut but also he bagged a pair. Thus, Pakistan went on to lose that match by seven wickets.

The southpaw batsman went on to score 4052 runs in the red ball format. However, Anwar achieved great success in the 50-overs version. Consequently, the left-hander scored 8824 runs in the 247 ODIs he played.

Thus, Anwar provided a good platform to the Pakistan side while opening the innings.

Marvan Atapattu 

Atapattu was a perfect example of why one should Never Give Up.

Marvan Atapattu had a similar start as Saeed Anwar as he also bagged a pair on his Test debut. Thus, the right-hander was dropped and went back to the domestic circuit. He got a chance after 21 months and again failed to impress at the International level as scored 0 and 1 in his second Test match.

The right-hander again went back to the domestic circuit and scored a truckload of runs in the Sri Lankan domestic circuit. Sri Lankan opener once again received his opportunity after 17 months but again scored a pair.

Thus, the Sri Lankan selectors started doubting his capabilities at the highest level. However, he once again scored big runs at the domestic level. Subsequently, he was given another chance after three years. Finally, he was able to come up good with his performances.

In fact, Atapattu went on to become one of Sri Lanka’s finest batsman. He had the correct technique and savored great success at the International level. The right-hander scored 5502 runs in his 90 Test match career. Later, Atapattu went on to lead Sri Lanka.

Michael Atherton

Atherton is well known for his gutsy knocks.

Michael Atherton scored a duck on his debut Test innings. Thus, Atherton didn’t have the best of welcomes in the longest format of the game.

However, Atherton was successful in getting back to his feet in the upcoming matches. In fact, Atherton turned out to be England’s one of best openers.

The right-hander scored 7728 runs in the 115 Test matches. The opener also went on hold the captaincy reins for the England team.

GR Viswanath

Viswanath was a magician.

Gunduappa Viswanath was quickly able to get past his first innings demons. The right-hander was dismissed without troubling the scorers in his first Test innings.

However, he scored a brilliant 137 in the second innings against Australia. Viswanath was not only a successful batsman but also led India with aplomb.

Furthermore, Viswanath played the game in the right spirit. He gave another chance to England’s Bob Taylor after the batsman was wrongfully given out by the umpire.

Shikhar Dhawan

India’s Shikhar Dhawan didn’t have the best of starts in the 50-overs format. The southpaw batsman was dismissed for naught in his maiden ODI innings in 2010 against Australia.

However, the southpaw made a strong comeback into his career. In fact, India’s current opener is a consistent performer in the ICC major events. Dhawan has thus far scored 4361 runs in the 102 One-Dayers at an average of 45.61. Therefore, Dhawan will like to continue with his good form.

MS Dhoni

Dhoni has played multiple roles with great success.

MS Dhoni didn’t have the start he would have hoped for in the One-Day format. Furthermore, Dhoni was dismissed via run-out after facing just one ball against Bangladesh.

However, Dhoni went on to become one of the best finishers in the 50-overs format. Furthermore, he led India with great success in all the three formats of the game. Moreover, Dhoni is one of the best wicketkeepers to have embraced the game.

MS Dhoni has scored 9967 runs in the 318 ODIs he has played and he is still going strong.

Sachin Tendulkar

Master Blaster was the best batsman to have embraced the game.

Sachin Tendulkar made his debut as a 16-year old. However, the young sensation had to face a potent bowling battery of the Pakistan team. Unfortunately, Tendulkar was dismissed on the second ball of his ODI debut by Waqar Younis with getting off the mark.

Tendulkar had all the skills as the teenager but the best part about him was that he worked hard to be the best batsman in the game.

Tendulkar went on to smash every record in the books. The Master Blaster scored 18426 runs in the 463 One-Dayers he played for the Men in Blue.