Veteran Indian goalkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik lavished praise on Australia’s left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc for his outstanding bowling performance in the second ODI at Vishakhapatnam on Sunday (March 19). The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer was also sympathetic to batsmen facing someone like Starc.
Starc, who picked up three wickets in the first ODI in Mumbai, was again singing with the new ball in the second game at Vishakhapatnam. The 33-year-old dismissed four top-flight batsmen to break the back of India’s batting and reclaimed his fife by knocking out No. 11 Mohammed Siraj to eliminate India by a paltry 117.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Karthik said that any batsman in the world will have a hard time containing a quality left-foot like the 33-year-old Starc, who is the best white-ball shooter at the moment. The 37-year-old also lamented the lack of a quality left-arm closer in the Indian line-up.
“Arguably the best cue ball bowler in the world right now. To get there and receive such balls first, it’s tough. You put someone in there, more often than not, they’ll take the first ball out. We need to cut some slack to hitters coming out to quality lefties.
“The skill that goes after 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 bowling into the nets? Not an easy skill Add on top of that, you’re playing international cricket, and it’s a different ball game.”
The fifth was the ninth time Starc had done it in one day, placing him behind Waqar Younis and Muttiah Muralitharan. It was also his second five-wicket haul in the format against India.
Mitchell Marsh tees off after the exploits of Mitchell Starc
Following Starc’s demolition of the Indian batting unit, mitchell swamp made quick work of the meager goal set by the hosts.
The Western Australian hammered six fours and as many sixes on his 36-ball 66, sharing an unbroken 121-run stand with Travis Head as the Aussies blitzed with almost 40 overs to spare.
Headwho perished cheaply in the first ODI in Mumbai, went unbeaten at 51 with ten caps.
Australia he leveled the series going into the third game after suffering a five-wicket loss in the opener. The two sides will meet in the third and final ODI in Chennai on Wednesday (March 22).
