AUS vs IND: Did Mitchell Starc make the fastest delivery in the world? fast gun hits 176.5 kmph in 1st ODI
Australiathe spearhead of the rhythm Mitchell Starc produced a blistering opening spell against India in the first ODI at Optus Stadium in Perth, leaving the visitors reeling at the start of the innings. Playing with venom and precision, Starc finished his first outburst with figures of 5-1-20-1, helping the hosts take control of the power play. Although his fate included the valuable wicket of Virat Kohlithe real talking point of the match came from a breathtaking moment when the speed gun recorded one of his deliveries to 176.5 km/h – a figure that stunned fans and commentators.
The speed gun displays 176.5 km/h: world record or technical problem?
The incident occurred during Starc’s first run, when his delivery to Rohit Sharma posted an incredible speed of 176.5 km/h on the speed gun. As a reminder, the fastest delivery ever officially recorded in the history of cricket belongs to Shoaib Akhtarwho clocked 161.3 km/h against England Nick Knight during the 2003 World Cup.
If Starc’s reading was accurate, she would have broken Akhtar’s long-standing record by an impressive 15 km/h – a feat almost impossible in the modern era. Unsurprisingly, social media was abuzz within seconds, as fans joked about the “fastest ball in the world” and shared memes speculating on Starc’s superhuman pace. Many, however, were quick to point out that it was likely a technical error or speed gun malfunction.
Despite the exaggerated number, Starc’s actual pace was still deadly. His deliveries were constantly hitting 140-145 kmph, troubling the Indian batters with bounce and movement on the Perth surface. The left-arm pacer’s first overs were a masterclass in bowling, using the new ball expertly to target the corridor of uncertainty.
ALSO WATCH: Cooper Connolly takes a shout out to dismiss Virat Kohli for a duck in 1st ODI – AUS vs IND
Starc and Josh Hazlewood dismantle India’s top order
Rohit was the first to face the heat from Starc, finding it difficult to adjust to the extra bounce and sharp movements. Although he managed to land a few clean shots, his timing was less than ideal. The sustained pressure finally bore fruit when Josh Hazlewood bowled out the former Indian captain for 8 runs off 14 balls, giving the slip cordon an advantage in the fourth over.
Starc then struck in the seventh over, dismissing Kohli for an eight-ball duck. Kohli, looking to mount, bowled a full delivery which went through him, and Cooper Connolly made a superb diving catch at the back point. This was Kohli’s first ODI duck on Australian soil, further amplifying India’s early woes.
Shortly afterwards, the captain Shubman Gil followed the senior duo to the pavilion, cutting behind a delivery that strayed down the leg side. The scoreboard read 27/3 at the end of the powerplay, equaling India’s lowest score in the first ten overs of an ODI since 2023.
Also READ: IND vs AUS: Virat Kohli reveals how his childhood heroes inspired him to conquer Australian conditions
