MUMBAI: A fast bowler steaming in to bowl the first delivery to a new batsman, the ball misses the bat and there is a sharp noise of timber crashing. This is music for a pace bowler, but a nightmare for a batsman. And that is what at least a dozen odd batsman have faced in the second edition of the Indian Premier League.

Adam Gilchrist, Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder who have opened the innings for their respected franchisees have the dubious record of getting out to the first ball of an innings. Following closely on their heels are many batsmen, who have found the bouncy tracks of South Africa difficult to handle.

Sourav Ganguly who had the misfortune to be out on the first ball of his last Test innings, also saw the stumps being rattled, first ball, in this IPL. The batsman who was the 12th such player in this tournament to have been out on a golden duck was Mumbai Indians Ajinkya Rahane.

The tournament is at the half way stage, with many more matches to be played. And what was pitched to be a batsman’s game, is soon turning out to be bowler’s game, at least in its second season.