What is King Pair in Test matches? A rare and unwanted record

In Test cricket, one of the rare and embarrassing records achieved is known as the King Pair. While a regular duck, which is scoring zero, is an unfortunate moment for any batter, a King Pair occurs when a batter is dismissed for a golden duck (first-ball duck) in both innings of a Test match. Getting out without scoring a run can, for once, be put behind the back, but doing so on the very first delivery in both innings is one of the worst nightmares for any batter. The unwanted record is rare and humiliating.

Notably, Test cricket has seen over 2,500 matches since its beginning in 1877, but only 25 players have ever registered a King Pair. The first cricketer to suffer this fate was William Attewell of England, who got out on the first ball in both innings against Australia in 1892 at Sydney.

Indian cricketers with King Pair in Test Cricket

Meanwhile, the Indian team, which is known to produce world-class batters, has seen it happen with their players as well on multiple occasions. Out of the 317 cricketers representing India in this format, only three players have suffered a King Pair in the history of the game. The first one was recorded by legendary leg-spinner Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, against Australia in 1977.

The next one was former pace-bowling all-rounder and current chief selector of the national team, Ajit Agarkar, who recorded a King Pair in Melbourne against Australia in 1999. Notably, Chandrasekhar did the same on the same ground and against the same opposition 22 years ago. The last one to join the list was the legendary opener Virender Sehwag in 2011 against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Travis Head - latest entrant in the list of King Pair

Among the 25 players having a King pair to their name, Australia batter Travis Head is the latest entry to this list. The southpaw made headlines for recording a King Pair against the West Indies at The Gabba in 2024, falling to a golden duck in both innings. Notably, he returned to the same venue months later and smashed a 152-run knock against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With this ton, he became the first cricketer in history to score a King Pair and a Test century at the same venue in the same calendar year.

List of Players to record King Pair in Test cricket