Cricket has seen centuries, hat-tricks, and super overs, but every now and then, a rare statistical event grabs the attention of fans worldwide. One such unique moment is the “0th ball wicket” — a term that’s more folklore than official record. So, who was the first player to take a wicket on the 0th ball in men’s international cricket? According to the most widely accepted accounts, Virat Kohli holds that strange and remarkable distinction.
What Is a “0th Ball Wicket”?
In cricket terms, a “0th ball wicket” refers to a dismissal that occurs before a bowler delivers their first legal ball. This can happen when the first delivery is a wide or no-ball, and a batter gets out through a method like stumping or run-out. Since wide balls are not counted as official deliveries, any wicket that happens on such a ball technically occurs on the 0th ball of that bowler’s spell or career.
It’s not an official cricket statistic recognized by the ICC, but it has become a popular piece of trivia among cricket fans and on social media platforms.
Virat Kohli: The First Player to Take a Wicket on the 0th Ball
In a T20I match against England on September 1, 2011, in Manchester, Virat Kohli was surprisingly given the ball. The first ball he bowled in international T20 cricket was a wide. However, England’s Kevin Pietersen stepped out of the crease and was stumped by MS Dhoni.
Here’s what made it historic:
-
The wide ball didn’t count as a legal delivery.
-
The stumping was recorded as a wicket.
-
Kohli hadn’t bowled a legal delivery yet.
This meant that Kohli took a wicket on the 0th ball of his T20I bowling career — making him the first player to take a wicket on the 0th ball in men’s international cricket, based on widely acknowledged match data and cricket discussions.
The Confusion Around Lasith Malinga
Some online discussions and forum posts have loosely claimed that Lasith Malinga may have taken a similar kind of wicket earlier in his career. However, no verified match records or official sources support this. In contrast, Kohli’s dismissal of Pietersen is well-documented, referenced in multiple articles, and even acknowledged by fans and cricket analysts as one of the rarest dismissals in T20 history.
Unless solid evidence emerges, the credit remains with Virat Kohli.
Why This Moment Stands Out
This incident is not just about an unusual wicket — it’s about how unpredictable and entertaining cricket can be. Virat Kohli is known for his world-class batting, but here, he accidentally created a moment that earned him a unique place in cricket trivia.
It also shows the importance of wicketkeepers like MS Dhoni, who can turn even an extra delivery into a game-changing opportunity.
Conclusion
While the record books may not officially list a category for the “0th ball wicket”, cricket fans around the world recognize Virat Kohli as the first player to take a wicket on the 0th ball in men’s international cricket. This quirky feat only adds to Kohli’s legendary career and highlights just how wonderfully unpredictable the game of cricket can be.