In a thrilling display of fast bowling, Mitchell Starc dominated the first innings of the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match against India at the Adelaide Oval. With impressive bowling figures of 6/48, Starc not only showed his ability but also put his past behind him. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) teammate Harshit Rana. Today was a landmark in Starc’s career as it was his 15th 5th over and his first against India in day-night Tests.
Mitchell Starc’s key spell took him through six wickets
Starc’s performance was instrumental in bowling India out for just 180 runs, which highlighted his prowess with the pink ball. His ability to swing and seam the ball effectively in day and night conditions has shown a lot for the Indian batsmen. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The match was particularly notable as it was Starc’s first six-wicket haul in an innings in five years, highlighting the kind of revival in form that fans and pundits alike wanted to see.
The atmosphere at the Adelaide Oval was electric, with fans witnessing Starc’s deadly yorkers and sharp bounces that sent the Indian batsmen into a frenzy. The left-arm pacer’s bowling not only obliterated India’s top order but also served as a reminder of his capabilities, especially under lights.
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Starc’s illuminating swing yorker clears Harshit Rana for a duck
One highlight came when Starc dismissed Rana with a perfectly executed yorker on the penultimate delivery of the 39th over, hitting the bottom of the stumps. The left-arm pacer looked at the tyender and delivered a perfectly swinging yorker that stunned Rana’s batting with both pace and line. As Rana walked back to the pavilion without scoring, Starc couldn’t help but smile at his former KKR teammate. The exchange between Starc and Rana was not just about cricket; it was also rooted in their shared history from the IPL. Earlier this year, both players contributed to KKR’s title-winning campaign and forged a bond that transcended international competition.
We present the video:
A stormy peach of a Yorker to Mitchell Starc for the fifth wicket!#AUSWIND | #Delivered Fast | @NBN_Australia pic.twitter.com/SwVIHFiNhK
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2024
The rivalry was rekindled
Starc and Rana’s rivalry has been going on since their first encounter at the Optus Stadium during the previous Test series. In that match, Rana tested Starc with short balls and Starc reminded Rana of his pace. Friendly battles continued in this test match with both players pushing each other to excel. Starc’s ability to keep his cool while lightly bantering with Rana shows his experience and maturity as a seasoned international cricketer. Such interactions not only entertain fans, but also highlight the lighter side of competitive sports.
