In a thrilling display of fast bowling, Mitchell Starc they dominated in the first and second periods Border Cup-Gavaskar Test match against India at the Adelaide Oval. With an impressive bowling of 6/48, Starc not only showcased his skills but also dismissed his ex. Kolkata Raiders (KKR) teammate Harshit Rano. The day marked a milestone in Starc’s career as it was his 15th five-wicket haul and his first against India in an overnight Test.
Mitchell Starc’s masterful spell gets him a six-wicket haul
Starc’s performance was crucial in dismissing India for just 180 runs, a feat that highlighted his mastery with the pink ball. His ability to spin and seam the ball in day and night conditions is too much for the Indian batting line-up, including the likes of: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The match was particularly noteworthy as it was Starc’s first six-wicket haul in five years, marking a resurgence of form that fans and pundits alike had been dying to see.
The atmosphere at the Adelaide Oval was electric and the fans witnessed Starc’s deadly yorkers and sharp shots that left the Indian batsmen in disarray. The left-arm spinner’s bowling not only decimated India’s top order but also served as a reminder of his abilities, especially under lights.
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Starc’s lightening yorker clears Harshit Rana for a duck
One of the highlights came when Starc dismissed Rana with a perfectly executed yorker down the nail on the last delivery of the 39th over. The left-arm pacer looked at the seamer and delivered a perfect in-swing yorker that surprised Rana as both were beaten. As Rana walked back to the pavilion scoreless, Starc couldn’t help but smile at his former KKR teammate. The exchange between Starc and Rana was not only about cricket; it is also steeped in their shared IPL history. Earlier this year, both players contributed to KKR’s title-winning campaign and forged a bond that transcended international competition.
Here is the video:
A peach of a yorker gives Mitchell Starc his fifth wicket!#AWIN | #Delivered quickly | @NBN_Australia pic.twitter.com/SwVIHFiNhK
– cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2024
The competition has started again
The rivalry between Starc and Rana has been simmering since their first meeting at the Optus Stadium in the previous Test series. In that match, Rano tested Starc with short balls, leading to some heated exchanges where Starc reminded Rano of his pace. The friendly jibes continued in this Test match with both players pushing each other for the edge. Starc’s ability to remain calm while engaging in banter with Rana shows his experience and maturity as a seasoned international cricketer. Such interactions not only delight fans, but also highlight the lighter side of competitive sports.
