Indian veteran batsman Dinesh Karthik has praised Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc for his outstanding bowling performance in the second ODI at Vishakhapatnam on Sunday (March 19th). The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer also sympathized with the hitters when facing someone like Starc.
Starc, who took three wickets in the first ODI in Mumbai, was on song again with the new ball in the second game in Vishakhapatnam. The 33-year-old fired four top hitters to break India’s stick back and claimed his fife as he retired No.11 Mohammed Siraj to eliminate India for a paltry 117.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Karthik said any hitter in the world will struggle to contain a quality left arm like the 33-year-old Starc, who is the best white ball bowler today. The 37-year-old also lamented the lack of a quality left-arm seamstress in India’s squad.
“He’s arguably the best white ball thrower in the world right now. To come in and get balls like that first is tough. You put anybody there, more often than not they’ll get the first ball out. We need to cut some slack for hitters who come out with quality lefties.
“The skill behind Shaheen Afridi, Trent Boult and Mitchell Starc is a different boss. If the bowler had the skill, he would be playing for India! Why would he be playing in the net? It’s not an easy skill . to that, you’re playing international cricket, and it’s a different ball game.”
The fife was Starc’s ninth time in a day, putting him behind Waqar Younis and Muttiah Muralitharan. It was also his second five-wicket run in the format against India.
Mitchell Marsh starts after the exploits of Mitchell Starc
Following Starc’s demolition of the Indian batting unit, Mitchell Marsh made quick work of the meager goal set by the hosts.
The Western Australian hammered six fours and as many sixes in his 36-ball 66, sharing an unbroken stand of 121 runs with Travis Head as the Aussies headed home with nearly 40 overs to spare.
Head, who perished cheaply in the first ODI in Mumbai, went unbeaten on 51 with ten limits.
Australia tied the series before the third game after suffering a five-wicket loss in the first game. The two teams will face off in the third and final ODI in Chennai on Wednesday, March 22.
