5 Players Who Scored A Duck In Their Last Test Innings

Gautam Gambhir failed to open is account in his final Test innings (X)

In cricket, not every curtain call is a standing ovation. One such saddening narrative is that of accomplished cricketers whose careers do not conclude with fairy-tale endings but rather with a scoreless farewell at the crease.

In the game’s storied history, several renowned players have experienced the anticlimactic finale of being dismissed for a duck in their final Test innings

Let’s take a look at five cricketers who scored a duck in their final Test innings.

5. Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina (Twitter)

In the 2014-2015 Test series between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Suresh Raina faced a stark contrast to his debut innings, where he scored a century vs Sri Lanka in 2010.

Australia, batting first, amassed a formidable 572/7 declared, buoyed by centuries from Steve Smith and David Warner, and substantial contributions throughout the lineup.

India responded with a robust 475, largely thanks to a magnificent 147 from Virat Kohli and a solid century by KL Rahul with Raina being dismissed for a golden duck by Shane Watson.

Australia declared again in their second innings, setting a challenging target of 349 after a quick 251/6, driven by aggressive knocks from Joe Burns and Steve Smith.

In their second attempt, India's chase was cautious and tempered, aiming more for survival than a win, and concluded the match at 252/7. Here, Raina once again was dismissed for a duck as this time, he was trapped in front of the wicket by Mitchell Starc.

4. Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Shivnarine Chanderpaul (Twitter)

In the third Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados in 2015, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, a stalwart of West Indian cricket, faced his final innings in Test cricket, dismissed for a duck.

The match saw West Indies clinching a victory against England by five wickets, a result that brought joy to the home crowd. England, initially putting up 257, couldn't manage to hold off the West Indian side, who responded with 189 in their first innings with Chanderpaul scoring 25.

England was then dismissed for a paltry 123 and set the Windies a challenge of 192. The home team chased down the modest target by five wickets, thanks to crucial contributions from Darren Bravo and Jermaine Blackwood. 

However, Chanderpaul, who played nine balls failed to open his account and was cleaned up by James Anderson in his final innings.

3. Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir (Twitter)

In his final innings during the 1st Test against England at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on November 9, 2016, Indian opener Gautam Gambhir was dismissed for a duck.

Facing Chris Woakes, Gambhir's brief appearance at the crease lasted only six balls before he was caught by Joe Root, adding a sombre note to what was an otherwise stellar career.

The match itself, a hard-fought contest between India and England, ended in a draw. England posted a formidable first innings score of 537, thanks in part to centuries from Joe Root, Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes.

In response, India managed 488, with significant contributions from Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara with Gambhir scoring 29 before being trapped in front of the wicket by Stuart Broad.

England's second innings declaration at 260/3 set India a target of 310, but the home team could only reach 172 for 6 before the match concluded with Gambhir registering a duck, as both teams shared the spoils.

2. Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly (Twitter)

In the 2008-2009 series finale against Australia at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, Indian cricket legend Sourav Ganguly faced a bitter-sweet farewell in his final Test innings as he was dismissed caught and bowled for a duck by Jason Krejza.

The match itself was a substantial victory for India, who secured a 172-run win. India first posted a formidable 441, bolstered by centuries from Sachin Tendulkar and notable fifties by Virender Sehwag, Ganguly, VVS Laxman and MS Dhoni.

Australia, despite a valiant 102 from Simon Katich, fell short in their first innings and was bowled out for 355. India then went on to score 295 and set a target of 382 for the Aussies with Sehwag, Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh scoring fifties. However, Ganguly failed to trouble the scorers in his last innings.

Australia was bowled out for just 209 with Harbhajan picking four and Amit Mishra and Ishant Sharma securing three and two wickets respectively.

1. Sir Don Bradman

Sir Don Bradman (Twitter)

In the fifth Test of 1948 Ashes series at the Kennington Oval, the legendary Sir Don Bradman fell for a duck in what was his final Test innings, marking an anticlimactic close to an illustrious career.

Ray Lindwall's potent bowling devastated England in their first innings, skittling them for a paltry 52 runs, with Lindwall claiming six wickets.

Australia then seized control, piling on 389 runs, anchored by Arthur Morris's monumental 196. Despite the visitors' commanding position, the cricketing gods had a twist in the tale for Bradman, who was bowled for a two-ball duck by Eric Hollies, proving that even the mightiest can have their wings clipped.

England's second innings offered little resistance, crumbling for 188, securing a staggering innings victory for Australia by 149 runs.

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