A diamond duck in cricket is mostly unknown to many of us, as this happens rarely during matches. But knowing these terms may increase your interest in cricket and make it more exciting when you watch a live match. In this guide, you will learn about what a diamond duck is in cricket, and also know how it differs from other types of ducks in cricket.
Diamond Duck Meaning in Cricket
In simple words, a diamond duck in cricket means when a batter gets out without facing a single legal ball. It means a batter gets dismissed for zero runs when he does not face any ball.
When Does a Batter Get a Diamond Duck?
A batter is called a diamond duck for certain reasons, which are given below:
- Run out at the non-striker’s end: It is common in diamond duck that a batter is run out before facing a legal ball.
- Timed Out: When a batter doesn’t reach the crease in the allowed time.
- Stumped or hit wicket on a wide: It is rare for a wide ball to travel and lead to a stumping or hit-wicket before a legal ball is bowled.
Diamond Duck and Other Ducks in Cricket: Complete Comparison Table (2026)
| Duck type | Balls faced | Typical dismissal modes | Rarity |
| Golden duck | 1 | Any mode (bowled, caught, LBW, etc.) | Common |
| Silver duck | 2 | Any mode | Uncommon |
| Bronze duck | 3 | Any mode | Uncommon |
| Diamond duck | 0 | Usually run out (non-striker or backing up), timed out, or stumped/run out off a wide | Rare |
Why Is It Called a Diamond Duck?
In ICC cricket guidelines, it is officially recorded as a duck (0 runs) in the scorebooks. Fans, players, and also commentor called its diamond duck due to its rarity. As a diamond is rare and more precious than gold, people refer to a batter getting out at zero in no balls, a type of duck, as a diamond duck.
Diamond Duck vs Other Types of Ducks
Along with diamond duck, there are also other types of ducks in cricket like golden duck, silver duck, bronze duck, and royal duck. There is a slight difference among all the ducks. Let’s know these ducks one by one.
Golden Duck
Diamond Duck and Golden Duck have slight differences in when the batter gets out. In the case of Golden Duck, the batter gets out in his very first ball. In comparison, Diamond Duck occurs when a batter does not even face a single ball, as a non-striker gets out by either being stumped or during a run. Diamond Duck is the rare one, while we can see Golden Duck occurs sometimes.
Silver Duck
In a silver duck, the batter gets out with zero runs as same as in a diamond and golden duck. But a silver duck is called when a batter gets out in his second ball on zero runs.
Bronze Duck
In a bronze duck, the batter gets out for zero runs on his third ball he faces.
Royal Duck
Royal duck is also known as the platinum duck; it happens when a batter gets out on the very first ball of the first inning of the entire match.
If you are new to these cricket terms, you may also like to know what is retired out in cricket means.
Can a Diamond Duck Happen in Test, ODI, and T20 Cricket?
Yes. It can happen in all formats of cricket, whether it is a local or international tournament. But it is rare and had only for few times. Applies to all formats because the Laws of Cricket are the same, and it occurs more frequently in limited-overs cricket because of aggressive running. But it is still extremely rare.
Famous Diamond Duck Dismissals
- Virat Kohli (India): Kohli was run out for a diamond duck against Zimbabwe in 2010 after a mix-up with Dinesh Karthik. A direct hit from Elton Chigumbura ended his innings before he faced a ball.
- Ricky Ponting (Australia): During an ODI against Sri Lanka in 2006, Ponting was run out without facing a delivery after a misunderstanding with Simon Katich. It was one of five Australian run-outs in that match.
- Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka): Chasing Bangladesh’s target in 2009, Jayasuriya was involved in an early mix-up with Upul Tharanga and was run out before facing a ball, resulting in a rare diamond duck.
- Martin Guptill (New Zealand): Guptill suffered a diamond duck against South Africa in 2013 after a miscommunication with Robert Nicol led to a run-out before he could face his first delivery.
Does a Diamond Duck Affect Batting Statistics?
Yes. It affects their performance points by adding zero runs and one dismissal to their record, but it does not add any legal ball.
How It Works in Official Records
- Runs Scored: Increases by 0.
- Dismissals: Increases by 1.
- Balls Faced: Increases by 0 (since no legal delivery was faced).
If you would like to know another misunderstood term in the DLS method that fans get confused about, for clear and clean information, you can also read our guide on what is DLS method in cricket?
Rare Cricket Dismissals Every Fan Should Know
However, a diamond duck does not affect the balls faced, but it has a bad impact on the batter’s performance. It lowers the batter’s average.
We cricket fans are so connected with each moment that happens during the live cricket match. While most dismissals like bowled, caught, and LBW are common, cricket also has several rare ways a batter can be dismissed. Knowing these uncommon dismissals helps fans better understand the game and makes watching matches more interesting.
Some of the rare cricket dismissals include diamond duck, timed out, obstructing the field, hit the ball twice, handled the ball (now included under obstructing the field), and retired out.
Although these incidents rarely happen, they have played a memorable role in several international and domestic matches. Understanding these unique rules gives every cricket fan a deeper appreciation of the game’s laws and unexpected moments. If you are a cricket fan, you may like our more cricket blogs on Indibet game.
FAQs
Can a batter be run out for a diamond duck?
Yes. When a non-striker during a run gets out with zero runs before having a legal delivery.
Does a diamond duck count as a ball faced?
No. In a diamond duck, no ball ( 0 balls) is counted.
Is a diamond duck an official ICC term?
No. In ICC guidelines, it is referred to only as a duck. Fans, commentators, and players call it a diamond duck.
Which type of duck is the rarest in cricket?
A diamond duck is the rarest in cricket, in which a batter gets out for zero runs without facing a single ball.
