Australialeader of the pace Mitchell Starc Delivered a strong opening spell against India In the first ODI at Optus Stadium, Perth, the visiting team faltered early in the innings. Bowling forcefully and accurately, Starc finished his opening performance with figures of 5-1-20-1, helping the hosts regain control in the powerplay. While his spell also included the prized wicket of Virat KohliThe real talking point of the match came from the moment the speed gun recorded one of his balls. 176.5 km per hour – a figure that stunned fans and commentators.
Speed gun shows 176.5 kmph – world record or technical fault?
The incident occurred during Starc’s first over, when he delivered Rohit Sharma The speed gun showed an incredible reading of 176.5 kmph. For reference, the fastest delivery ever officially recorded in cricket history is -Shoaib AkhtarWho reached the speed of 161.3 kmph against England nick knight During the 2003 World Cup.
Had Starc’s reading been accurate, it would have broken Akhtar’s long-standing record by a whopping 15 kmph – an almost impossible feat in the modern era. Not surprisingly, it took social media by storm within seconds, as fans shared memes mocking the “world’s fastest ball” and speculating about Starc’s superhuman speed. However, many were quick to point out that this was likely a technical error or a malfunction of the speed gun.
Despite the exaggerated numbers, Stark’s actual speed was still lethal. His balls consistently reached speeds of 140–145 kmph, causing trouble for the Indian batsmen due to the bounce and movement on the Perth surface. The left-arm pacer’s first few overs were a masterclass in seam bowling, using the new ball expertly to target the corridor of uncertainty.
See also: Cooper Connolly shouts at Virat Kohli for duck in first ODI – AUS vs IND
Starc and Josh Hazlewood demolished India’s top order
Rohit was the first player to face the heat from Starc, finding it difficult to adjust to the extra bounce and faster pace. Although he managed to hit some crisp shots, his timing was far from ideal. When did the constant pressure finally work? Josh Hazlewood Giving the lead to the slip cordon in the fourth over, the former Indian captain was dismissed for 8 runs in 14 balls.
After this, Starc dismissed Kohli for zero in eight balls in the seventh over. Kohli, looking to drive upwards, took the edge of a full delivery which clipped him and cooper connolly Completed a brilliant diving catch at backward point. This was Kohli’s first ODI duck on Australian soil, adding to India’s early troubles.
Soon after, Captain Shubman Gill The senior followed the pair back to the pavilion and dismissed a ball which deviated towards the leg side. The scoreboard at the end of the powerplay read 27/3, equaling India’s joint-lowest total in the first ten overs of an ODI since 2023.
