Mitchell Starc broke Indian batters' back with his roaring spell of 5/53 to help Australia make a stunning comeback and clinch the second ODI by 10 wickets on Sunday (March 19). Riding on Starc's fierly spell India were bundled out for measly 117. In reply Australia chased down the target in just 11 overs to hand India their biggest defeat in ODI history in terms of balls remaining (234).
It was Starc's ninth five-wicket haul in ODIs as he equalled Brett Lee and Shahid Afridi's record in terms of taking most fifers in the format.
Most five-fers in ODIs
Waqar Younis: 13
Muttiah Muralitharan: 10
Mitchell Starc: 9
Brett Lee: 9
Shahid Afridi: 9
Lasith Malinga: 8
Starc dismissed Rohit Sharma (13), Shubman Gill (0), Suryakumar Yadav (0), KL Rahul (9) and Mohammed Siraj (0). Starc was given good support by Abbott, who registered figures of 3/23 in six overs. Abbott’s wickets included that of Hardik Pandya, who was caught brilliantly by stand-in skipper Steve Smith at slip. Starc snared the wickets of Gill, Rohit, Suryakumar and Rahul in quick succession to leave India struggling at 48/4 in the ninth over. The left-arm quick bowled Mohammed Siraj to wrap up the Indian innings and bag a well-deserved fifer.
Meanwhile, India's veteran batter Dinesh Karthik, who is in awe of Starc's wizardry, termed the star Australian pacer the best white-ball bowler in the world.
“He (Starc) is arguably the best white-ball bowler in the world right now. To come and receive such balls first up, it's hard. You put anybody there, more often than not, they will get out first ball. We need to cut some slack for batters who get out to quality left-armers," Karthik told Cricbuzz.
Karthik also went on to say that the skill that goes behind the likes of Shaheen Afridi and Starc is off a different level.
“The skill has gone behind Shaheen Afridi, Trent Boult, Mitchell Starc is different boss. If the bowler had the skill, he would be playing for India! Why would he be bowling in the nets? It is not an easy skill. Add to that, you’re playing international cricket, and it's a different ball game,” Karthik added.
Karthik also back Suryakumar, who was dismissed by Stach on a golden duck as the batter has so far failed to open his account in this ODI series.
“Imagine Suryakumar Yadav, I feel for him, two first-balls, I'm sure a lot of people will be saying, 'Oh, he's not making use of his opportunities'. It's not true. To get out first ball means you are out before you're set. It can happen to anybody,” Karthik concluded.
With this stunning win , Australia have locked the three-match contest 1-1 and have forced a series decider which will be be played at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on March 22.
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