5 cricketers have been dismissed for a rare Diamond Duck, run out without facing a ball. These incidents highlight the unpredictability of the game, with miscommunications, brilliant fielding efforts, and confusion leading to these unfortunate dismissals, even for some of the most experienced players.
1. Younis Khan
In the opening match of the Kitply Cup tri-series in Bangladesh, Pakistan’s Younis Khan was dismissed for a diamond duck. Without facing a single ball, Khan was run out when Salman Butt played a shot to the leg side. Fielder Raqibul Hussain collected the ball and swiftly threw it to the non-striker’s end, where Younis was caught out after attempting a quick single. Despite Butt calling him back, it was too late, and Khan was run out, marking a rare diamond duck in cricket.
2. Virat Kohli
In the 2010 tri-series in Zimbabwe, India’s Virat Kohli, known for his quick running between the wickets, was run out for a diamond duck. Dinesh Karthik played a reverse paddle shot towards short third man, and both batters attempted a risky single. However, Elton Chigumbura’s direct hit at the striker’s end sent Kohli back to the pavilion without facing a ball. Despite Kohli’s speed, the throw was perfectly timed, leaving him short of the crease and out for a rare diamond duck.
3. Ian Healy – twice
Ian Healy, the legendary Australian wicket-keeper batsman, holds the rare distinction of being run out for a diamond duck twice within a span of 14 months. In 1994, during a Benson & Hedges World Series game against South Africa in Sydney, and in 1995, in a Test match against the West Indies in Barbados, Healy was dismissed without facing a single delivery. Both instances were run outs, marking a rare feat in international cricket for the Australian cricketer.
4. Brendon McCullum
In the 6th ODI of India’s 2002/03 tour of New Zealand, wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum was run out for a Diamond Duck, thanks to an exceptional piece of fielding by India’s top fielder, Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj’s quick reaction and accurate throw at the non-striker’s end left McCullum stranded without facing a ball.
5. Ricky Ponting
In the first final of the 2005-2006 VB Series between Australia and Sri Lanka in Adelaide, Australia’s captain Ricky Ponting was run out by T Dilshan. Simon Katich tapped the ball to point, and Ponting called for a run. However, confusion between the batters led to a simple run-out, with Dilshan hitting the stumps at the striker’s end to dismiss Ponting.