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Opening Nightmares: Instances When Both IPL Batters Failed To Trouble The Scorers

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Ayush Mhatre and Devon Conway [Source: AP Photos]Ayush Mhatre and Devon Conway [Source: AP Photos]

In the high-stakes world of T20 cricket, a good start is always crucial for a team. However, sometimes it happens that the teams face nightmares of both the openers failing. Adding to the misery be the fact when both the openers get dismissed for a duck.

1. Chennai Super Kings - Parthiv Patel And Stephen Fleming (2008)

Such an instance occurred for the first time in IPL during the inaugural season in 2008. Stephen Fleming and Parthiv Patel both fell for a duck against the Rajasthan Royals as Pakistani pacer, as Sohail Tanvir claimed both the wickets. 

2. Rajasthan Royals - Graeme Smith And Swapnil Asnodkar (2009)

IPL moved to South Africa in its second season. Rajasthan Royals were playing the Deccan Chargers when the two openers of the Royals, Grame Smith and Swapnil Asnodkar were dismissed for a duck. While Smith was dismissed by Fidel Edwards, Asnodkar fell to a run out.

3. Deccan Chargers (2009) - Adam Gilchrist And Herschelle Gibbs

In 2009 another such incident occurred with Deccan Chargers being involved, but this time they were at the receiving end. The opening pair of Adam Gilchrist and Herschelle Gibbs failed to get off the mark as Albie Morkel and Sudeep Tyagi of the Chennai Super Kings accounted for the two wickets. 

4. Mumbai Indians (2009) - Luke Ronchi And JP Duminy

Mumbai Indians' experimental opening combination of Ronchi and Duminy failed spectacularly against Delhi Daredevils. Ronchi was run out by David Warner while trying to steal a quick single, and Duminy was caught behind off Dirk Nannes in the same over, leaving Mumbai reeling.

5. Delhi Daredevils (2009) - Gautam Gambhir and David Warner

In the first semi-final of IPL 2009, Delhi's formidable opening pair of Gambhir and Warner both departed for ducks. Ryan Harris claimed both wickets, showcasing how pressure can affect even the most accomplished batters in knockout stages.

6. Kochi Tuskers Kerala (2011) - Brendon McCullum and VVS Laxman

The short-lived franchise experienced this unwanted record when explosive T20 specialist McCullum and classical batter Laxman both registered zeros against Pune Warriors. Brendon McCullum fell first ball to Alfonso Thomas, while Laxman played onto his stumps facing Wayne Parnell.

7 Kolkata Knight Riders (2014) - Jacques Kallis and Gautam Gambhir

A surprising entry on this list features KKR's veteran duo of Kallis and Gambhir both falling for ducks against Delhi Daredevils in Dubai. Mohammed Shami and Nathan Coulter-Nile claimed these prized wickets, putting KKR under immediate pressure in what turned out to be a difficult match for their top order

8. Chennai Super Kings (2025) - Ayush Mhatre and Devon Conway

The latest addition to this unwanted list sees CSK's openers both dismissed for ducks. Ayush Mhatre was caught by Harshit Rana off Vaibhav Arora's bowling, while Conway was bowled by Moeen Ali. 

While these opening collapses represent cricket at its most challenging, they also remind us of the game's unpredictability—where disaster can strike even the most capable batting lineups without warning.