Most UNLUCKY Dismissal in Cricket

The Most Unlucky Dismissals in Cricket: A Story of Misfortune

Cricket, known for its rich history and thrilling moments, is a sport where skill, strategy, and timing are crucial. But, for all the precision and focus that goes into the game, cricket is equally about the unpredictable. The ball may slip through the batter’s legs, a fielder may pull off an unbelievable catch, or a ball may deflect off an unsuspecting body part, leading to a dismissal that seems cruelly unfair. Some dismissals in cricket have entered the realm of folklore due to their sheer misfortune, leaving players, fans, and commentators alike scratching their heads and wondering, How could that possibly happen?

From freak accidents to absurd moments of fate, this article takes a look at some of the most unlucky dismissals in cricket history, highlighting just how cruel the game can sometimes be for its players.

1. The Ball That Wasn’t Even Meant for the Batter: Michael Clarke’s Run-Out

One of the most unlucky dismissals came in 2012, when Michael Clarke (Australia) was run out in a bizarre incident during the second Test against India at the MCG. It wasn’t a miscommunication between the batsmen or a direct hit by the fielder. Instead, a ball that was being bowled from the non-striker’s end hit the stumps, sending Clarke back to the pavilion.

Here’s the story: Clarke was attempting a risky single when his batting partner, Ricky Ponting, pushed the ball toward mid-off. Ponting was the one looking for a single, but Ravichandran Ashwin, the bowler at the non-striker’s end, accidentally threw the ball toward the stumps as he was adjusting his follow-through. The ball struck the stumps just as Clarke was halfway down the pitch, and the umpire had no choice but to rule him run out. It was as freakish as it was unlucky.

Clarke had been in great form and his dismissal was a cruel twist of fate — a perfectly legitimate run-out that wasn’t even a direct consequence of poor communication or fielding error. As a result, Clarke was sent packing, not for his mistakes, but for an uncontrollable incident that left everyone stunned.

2. The Helicopter Shot and the Dream That Wasn’t: MS Dhoni’s LBW vs. New Zealand (2009)

MS Dhoni, India’s most successful captain and one of the most iconic figures in the sport, is often remembered for his innovative batting style. His helicopter shot became a trademark, and his ability to turn games around was second to none. But even he wasn’t immune to the odd stroke of misfortune.

During the 2009 New Zealand tour of India, Dhoni’s dismissal in the second ODI remains one of the most unlucky dismissals ever seen. In the 29th over, Dhoni was bowled out by Kyle Mills in one of the strangest ways imaginable. Mills delivered a yorker that struck Dhoni on the pads in front of the stumps. It wasn’t a particularly threatening delivery, but it appeared to have deflected off his bat before hitting the pads. The ball wasn’t seen as hitting the stumps directly, but the umpire declared an LBW.

The replays showed no clear contact with the bat — the ball had hit the pad before any sign of it touching the bat. What made this more unlucky was the fact that Dhoni had been in phenomenal form. He was playing a match-winning knock, and such an LBW that looked like it came from nowhere sent him packing in an extremely frustrating fashion.

3. The Ball That Could Not Be Seen: Jeff Thomson’s No-Ball (1975)

Jeff Thomson, an Australian fast bowler known for his blistering pace and intimidating bouncers, was a force to be reckoned with during the 1970s. In 1975, in a Test match against the West Indies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Thomson’s remarkable delivery earned him a wicket that would become one of the most unlucky dismissals in history.

The delivery, bowled at terrifying speed, was so quick that the West Indian batsman Rohan Kanhai had no idea it had even been bowled. Kanhai, standing on the crease, missed the ball completely, which then crashed into the stumps. However, in the aftermath of the delivery, the on-field umpires ruled that Thomson had overstepped and the ball was a no-ball.

Though Kanhai had been clean bowled, the no-ball decision rendered the wicket invalid. The expression on the players’ faces said it all: Kanhai, in disbelief, looked at the umpire while Thomson couldn’t believe the luck that had turned against him. To have a wicket taken off such a magical delivery, only for it to be annulled for a marginal no-ball, was an incredibly unlucky break for Thomson and one of the most famous “unseen” dismissals in cricket.

4. The Superhuman Catch: Ben Stokes’ Miracle Catch in 2019

In one of the most iconic moments of modern cricket, Ben Stokes’ miraculous catch against South Africa in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup remains one of the most amazing yet unlucky dismissals ever. During a tense match at Lord’s, Stokes was fielding in the deep when Andile Phehlukwayo struck a lofty shot towards the boundary.

In what can only be described as an extraordinary feat of athleticism, Stokes leaped into the air, catching the ball with both hands while simultaneously keeping his feet inside the boundary rope. The catch was perfect — a masterpiece of concentration and determination. However, it was just a millisecond too late: as Stokes came down with the ball in his hand, he landed just outside the boundary.

The catch, though magnificent, was ruled a six, and the batsman (Phehlukwayo) remained at the crease. For Stokes, a catch that he will forever be remembered for also serves as one of the most unlucky dismissals from the perspective of a fielder. In a game as small as that extra millisecond, Stokes had pulled off the catch of the century, only for it to be ruled out in an instance of cruel fate.

5. The Mysterious Deflection: Paul Collingwood’s Unfortunate LBW (2009)

Paul Collingwood, the English all-rounder, was batting well during the second Test match between England and South Africa in 2009. However, what was supposed to be a solid knock ended up with a baffling LBW dismissal.

The ball, bowled by Morne Morkel, was pitched on a good length and seemed to be heading down the leg side. Collingwood played a shot, but the ball appeared to deflect off his thigh pad before crashing into the stumps. The umpire had no hesitation in giving him out, but the replays showed an incredibly strange sequence of events.

It was clear that the ball had made minimal contact with Collingwood’s leg — there was no visible deflection, and no one quite understood what had happened. It was as if the ball had made contact with a random part of the body or perhaps had deviated in the air. The unlucky dismissal led to a lot of debate, with many questioning whether the ball would have missed the stumps if Collingwood hadn’t made contact.

6. The Ultimate Unlucky Duck: Saim Ayub (2025 Asia Cup)

Saim Ayub, a promising young batter for Pakistan, found himself the victim of one of the most unfortunate dismissals in the 2025 Asia Cup against UAE. Ayub was on a streak of poor form, having faced the first ball of the game and hitting a shot straight to a fielder at short cover, where the fielder fumbled.

In what can only be described as a “catch and release” situation, the ball deflected off the fielder’s hand and into the stumps, running him out. The fact that Ayub didn’t even get a chance to play a shot or get settled made the dismissal all the more unlucky. The ball that deflected off the fielder’s hand ended up sending him back to the dugout, becoming one of the more “accidental” and unfortunate dismissals.

Conclusion: Cricket’s Unexpected Twists

Cricket, in its infinite unpredictability, has witnessed a range of bizarre and unlucky dismissals that have both left fans in stitches and players frustrated. These incidents remind us that cricket, at its core, is as much about dealing with bad luck as it is about mastering technique. Whether it’s a freak run-out, a marginal no-ball, or a ball that deflects unexpectedly, these unlucky dismissals will forever be etched in the minds of cricket fans as the sport’s most extraordinary examples of misfortune.

Ultimately, it’s these rare moments of unfairness and wild unpredictability that make cricket so endlessly fascinating, ensuring that every time a player takes the field, anything — and we mean anything — can happen