Table of Contents
- Starc’s 176.5 kmph Delivery: Real or Glitch?
- Fastest Balls in ODI History: Where Does Starc Rank?
- Kohli’s First Aussie Duck & Rohit’s Early Exit
- India’s 8-Match ODI Winning Streak Snapped
- What This Means for the Rest of the Series
Starc’s 176.5 kmph Delivery: Real or Glitch?
During Australia’s dominant win over India in the first ODI at Perth, a jaw-dropping speed reading flashed on screens: 176.5 kmph—credited to Mitchell Starc while bowling to Rohit Sharma. If true, it would’ve shattered the record for the fastest ball ever bowled in ODI cricket by a massive margin.
But experts and fans alike were quick to raise eyebrows. The current official ODI record stands at 161.1 kmph, set by South Africa’s Shaun Tait in 2010. A 176.5 kmph delivery would be faster than any recorded ball in cricket history—even surpassing Shoaib Akhtar’s legendary 161.3 kmph “Rawalpindi Express” delivery in the 2003 World Cup.
Replays and technical analysts later confirmed it was almost certainly a speed gun error—likely caused by a misread of the radar or a calibration glitch. Starc himself, known for his lethal pace, averages around 145–150 kmph in ODIs, with peaks near 155 kmph. Still, the moment sparked global chatter and memes, underscoring Starc’s fearsome reputation.
Fastest Balls in ODI History: Verified Records
| Bowler | Speed (kmph) | Year | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaun Tait (AUS) | 161.1 | 2010 | England |
| Shoaib Akhtar (PAK) | 161.3* | 2003 | England |
| Mitchell Starc (AUS) | 154.4 | 2019 | New Zealand |
| Lockie Ferguson (NZ) | 153.1 | 2019 | Australia |
*Note: Akhtar’s 161.3 kmph was in a World Cup match, but officially recognized under ODI records.
Kohli’s First Aussie Duck & Rohit’s Early Exit
While the speed glitch stole headlines, the real story for India was the top-order collapse. Virat Kohli was dismissed for a golden duck—his first ODI duck on Australian soil—bowled by Starc in just 8 balls. Captain Rohit Sharma lasted only 6 deliveries before edging behind.
The pair’s early exits set the tone for India’s disastrous innings, ending at 136 for 9. KL Rahul (44) and Axar Patel provided brief resistance, but the batting unit looked unprepared for Perth’s pace and bounce.
India’s 8-Match ODI Winning Streak Snapped
The loss marked more than just a series setback—it ended India’s impressive eight-match winning streak in ODIs, their longest since 2023. That run included dominant performances against South Africa, Sri Lanka, and England, making the Perth collapse all the more shocking.
What This Means for the Rest of the Series
With matches in Adelaide and Sydney looming, India must regroup quickly. Questions now swirl around team balance, top-order form, and whether the squad arrived sufficiently acclimatized. For Starc and Australia, the message is clear: they’ve drawn first blood—and the speed, real or not, has already rattled the visitors.
Sources
- Times of India: 176.5 kmph! Did Mitchell Starc bowl the fastest ball in ODI history?
- ICC Official Records, ESPNcricinfo Speed Archives