Mitchell Starc’s “176.5 km/h” Delivery Sends Social Media Into Frenzy
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc caused a momentary stir in the cricketing world during the first ODI against India at Perth, when a delivery to Indian captain Rohit Sharma appeared on the speed gun at 176.5 km/h. Fans and commentators alike were left in awe, wondering if Starc had smashed the fastest-ever ball in cricket history.
The Reality Behind the Speed Gun Reading
The excitement was short-lived. Match officials later confirmed that the reading was a technical malfunction, and the delivery was actually in Starc’s normal 140–150 km/h range. The previous record is still held by Shoaib Akhtar, who bowled a 161.3 km/h delivery during the 2003 World Cup.
Despite the false alarm, Starc had a fiery opening over. He dismissed Virat Kohli for a duck, marking Kohli’s first-ever ODI duck in Australia. Along with Rohit Sharma’s early departure for just 8 runs, India stumbled to 21/2 in the 7th over, leaving them under immense pressure.
Match Summary: Reduced Overs, Fierce Bowling
- The match was reduced to 26 overs per side due to rain, adding extra pressure on both teams.
- India: 136/9 in 26 overs (DLS target: 131). KL Rahul scored 38, and Axar Patel added 31.
- Australia: Strong start chasing the revised target, won by 7 wkts.
Even without breaking any records, Starc’s pace and precision ensured that Australia dominated early proceedings, rattling the Indian batting line-up on a tricky Perth pitch.
