India versus Australia has emerged as the holy grail of battles between an era’s greatest, be it a Dravid taking on McGrath or a Virat Kohli trying to survive the Oz Big 3. Monday at the Gabba was no different where the intensity of the encounter peaked in a firey exchange involving Mitch Starc.
Australia took Brisbane by storm in the morning session of Day 3 of the third Border Gavaskar Trophy Test as Alex Carey’s 70 took them to an imposing total of 445 before a scintillating new-ball burst by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood reduced the visitors to 22/3 by Lunch. The former got rid of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill while his partner-in-crime Josh Hazlewood dispatched Virat Kohli with a typical channel delivery and while the manner of dismissal no longer raises eyebrows, Kohli’s struggles in the 16-ball stay certainly did.
The veteran began by failing to connect with two Starc deliveries following Gill’s departure before finally managing an inside edge onto his pads to get off strike. Yet, the most nasty blow came on the penultimate delivery of the seventh over nearly left the Indian wounded and in danger of a severe injury. Starc steamed in to bang the Kookaburra at a back of a length with his counterpart shaping up on the front foot. However, just as Kohli rose on his toes to try and contend the effort, the red cherry took off from the deck to fly towards the 36-year-old’s face and confront him with mortal danger. Fortunately, the batter was quick enough with his reflexes to let the ball thump into his gloves over his head without inflicting any damage but the mortal danger of it all immediately brought a sheepish smile on Kohli’s face.
Starc could not help but respond with a smirk of his own and Twitterati was thoroughly engrossed with the chain of events. Incidentally, Starc also ended up playing a major role in scalping Kohli by getting him on strike with a brilliant piece of fielding that led to the wicker just as rain began to pour.
Brutal bouncer
Saved
Certain boundary saved, and Virat and KL also missed out on a double. Virat on strike instead of KL. This Kohli wicket is more for Starc than Hazlewood. What a fielding team this Aussies. And Virat well well continues to poke at these deliveries.#INDvsAUS
— subu sastry (@suubsy) December 16, 2024
Kohli saab toh pehale starc se darr gaye the. It was expected to throw the wicket now. No temperament no hunger to run… 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢 pic.twitter.com/TJbHJgb6VV
— Sarcastic Secular (@ImSagarKoli) December 16, 2024
Nice
Right before Kohli’s dismissal, Starc saved a sure shot boundary which got Kohli on strike. Just shows you the value of good fielding.
And a really disappointing shot by VK. I know he wanted to be proactive, so I am not disappointed in his shot selection, rather the execution.— Ph1lidor (@Ph1lidor) December 16, 2024
Edged
Kohli edges one. The damage was done by Starc’s lifter. Yes, that wasn’t good for VK. But the previous outcome was the reason for it. Yes, Australia have a clear advantage over India with their taller boys, in these conditions.
Only Boom’s HTD, skills and consistency can match…— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) December 16, 2024
Also kudos to starc for saving that boundary and getting Kohli on strike. Small things. https://t.co/Xv42nZzACN
— Better call Anish (@bettercallanish) December 16, 2024
Restricted
How much of that Hoff wicket would you give to Starc! Saved a 4, restricted to a single, Kohli back on strike, Kohli back to the hut…#AUSvIND
— Ammar (@Ammarzaheer) December 16, 2024
On strike
After the dismissal of Virat Kohl, a handful of the Australians ran towards Mitchell Starc at fine leg, rather than bowler Josh Hazlewood.
Starc has prevented a boundary the previous delivery, putting Kohli on strike for the wicket ball.#AUSvIND— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) December 16, 2024
Starc fielding just kept it for 1
And then Kohli nicks 5th-stump-line ball 😭— Deputy Nole 🦅 (@VintageKalyan) December 16, 2024
Removed
Starc and Hazlewood spell removes yashasvi,gill and Kohli now things are getting out of control for india🥲#INDvsAUS
— A.S (@JosephVk18) December 16, 2024
