On Sunday, March 19, in Visakhapatnam, the Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc proved unstoppable as he ran through the Indian batting unit, leading the Aussies to a dominating 10-wicket victory with 39 overs to spare. He was rewarded with the Player of the Match award for his figures of 5-53, his ninth five-wicket haul in the format. Starc is leading the Australian bowling attack in the three-match series without Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. He had previously wreaked havoc against India in the series opener in Wankhede by claiming three crucial wickets. During the post-match conference, Starc said:
“My plan hasn’t changed for 13 years — bowl full, hit the stumps, try and swing it. That’s been my role for a long time, to try and get wickets up front in the Powerplay. At times that means I’m probably more expensive, but I’m trying to bring in all modes of dismissal.”
He continued: “So it’s certainly not a new game plan these last two games.When you’ve got a powerhouse batting unit that India do have, if you can take wickets in the Powerplay it means we sort of control the game in some respects, which is what we did today.”
India’s struggles with left-arm swing bowling have been widely reported, and Starc is capitalizing on the opportunity.
The World Cup will constantly be in your mind as you experience the series: Mitchell Starc
India’s ongoing ODI series is an essential step in Australia’s preparation for the upcoming ODI World Cup, which is set to take place on the subcontinent in a few months. Starc said:
“Every series is a chance to perform for your country, but with one eye on the World Cup, obviously with particular conditions and obviously playing against India that’s one, I guess, by-product of this series. The other is it’s still a one-day series against India in India, which we want to win.”
Mitchell Starc continued: “And then once obviously we get past that game and then probably more focus on the World Cup, there’s parts of this series which will be World Cup in the back of your mind.But I think predominantly for this group, it’s still a chance to win a one-day series in India, which is pretty special.”
The two sides will meet for the last time on the tour in the third and final ODI of the series at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday, March 22.
