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Indian Premier League (IPL) is a stage where cricketing dreams are made or shattered in moments. For many players, especially overseas stars, the debut match is a test of nerves and skill. Australian cricketers, known for their aggressive style, have had mixed fortunes on their IPL debuts. The recent IPL 2025 match between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals saw Mitchell Owen, a promising Australian talent, join the unfortunate list of Aussies dismissed for a duck on their IPL debut.
Aussie stars who got out for a duck in their debut IPL appearance
1. Mitchell Owen
In the IPL 2025 clash at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Punjab Kings handed a debut to 23-year-old Owen, a rising star fresh off a record-breaking Big Bash League (BBL) season with Hobart Hurricanes. Owen replaced the injured Glenn Maxwell and came in with high expectations after smashing centuries and maintaining a strike rate over 200 in the BBL. However, his IPL initiation was harsh. Facing Rajasthan’s debutant Kwena Maphaka, Owen fell for a two-ball duck after top-edging a big shot attempt, with Sanju Samson completing the catch. This dismissal marked Owen as the fourth Australian to get out for a duck on IPL debut and notably the third to do so in the RR vs PBKS fixture.
2. Ben Laughlin
Ben Laughlin holds the unfortunate distinction of being the first Australian player to register a duck on IPL debut. Making his debut for Chennai Super Kings against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in 2013, the now 42-year-old pacer failed to open his account with the bat. Despite his vast experience in T20 cricket, Laughlin’s outing ended prematurely.
The dismissal came courtesy of Kieron Pollard, who bowled a clever slower delivery outside off-stump. Laughlin, attempting to push the ball towards the leg side, overbalanced slightly and got an inside edge, the ball crashed into his stumps. It was a subtle reminder that even seasoned campaigners could falter on IPL debut.
3. Ashton Turner
Six years later, Ashton Turner became the second Australian to suffer a duck on IPL debut. Playing for Rajasthan against Punjab in 2019, Turner’s highly anticipated arrival was cut short by the guile of Murugan Ashwin.
Ashwin tossed up a slow, loopy leg-break, tempting Turner into an aggressive shot. Trying to go straight down the ground due to scoreboard pressure, Turner mistimed his stroke as the ball turned away only managing to send it towards long-off, where David Miller completed a safe catch. The moment underscored the IPL’s demanding nature even for powerful hitters from Australia.
4. Jhye Richardson
Jhye Richardson, a promising Australian fast bowler with notable lower-order batting ability, became the third Australian to register a duck on IPL debut. The incident occurred during the 2021 season, when he turned out for Punjab against Rajasthan.
Facing Chetan Sakariya, who was also making his debut, Richardson fell victim to a clever piece of bowling. Sakariya delivered a back-of-the-hand slower ball, full and wide outside off. Attempting to loft it over long-off, Richardson mistimed the shot and ended up slicing it towards Chris Morris, who completed a composed catch right in front of the Royals’ dugout.
