NEW DELHI: In cricket, a “duck” refers to a batter being dismissed without scoring a single run. There are eight different types of ducks, some of which can make the return to the pavilion even more embarrassing.
During the second Test match between India and Australia in Adelaide, Indian batter Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck on the very first delivery of the match.
After captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat, Mitchell Starc bowled a full, swinging delivery on leg stump. Jaiswal moved too far across, missed an attempted glance, and was struck on the shin in front of the stumps. The umpire raised his finger immediately, signaling the end of his short stay.
This dismissal was a ‘platinum’ or ‘royal’ duck, which occurs when a batter is dismissed on the very first ball of the match.
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WHY DUCK?
The term “duck” originates from the shape of the number “0,” which resembles a duck’s egg. Initially, it was referred to as “duck’s egg,” but over time, it was shortened to simply “duck.”
Here’s a breakdown of the eight types of ducks in cricket:
Golden Duck: A batter is out without scoring on the first delivery they face.
Silver Duck: A batter gets out on the second delivery they face, without scoring.
Bronze Duck: A batter is dismissed on the third ball they face, without scoring.
Diamond Duck: A batter is out without facing a ball, often due to a run-out or similar dismissal.
Platinum/Royal Duck: A batter is dismissed on the first ball of the first innings of the match.
Laughing Duck: A player is dismissed on the last ball of their team’s innings.
Pair: A batter is out for a duck in both innings of a Test or first-class match.
King Pair: A batter is dismissed for a duck on the first ball of both innings in a Test.
