Shubman Gill Stuns Mitchell Starc With A Spectacular Six: Mitchell Starc has been in searing form in this ODI series against India, having taken 8 wickets in the first two matches at an average of 12 and striking every 13 deliveries. He had bamboozled the Indian batters with his high-quality swing, seam and high pace in helpful conditions in the first two ODIs in Mumbai and Vizag.
However, when conditions didn’t offer him help in the 3rd and series-deciding ODI in Chennai, Mitchell Starc was given a hammering in the powerplay by Shubman Gill, who had previously smacked Starc in Test cricket.
In the chase of what seemed a par target of 270 runs, Shubman Gill, who was dismissed by Starc in the first two ODIs, took down the spearhead Aussie pacer. Instead of being conservative and going into a shell and just look to survive, something which some ‘experts’ had suggested as way to play out Starc, Shubman Gill took the challenge head-on.
Mind you, there were no risky shots or blind slogging, as it is rarely with Gill. The 23-year-old opener played his typical elegant, classy, and mostly risk-averse strokes and it brought him plenty of boundaries.
Shubman Gill’s six to Mitchell Starc was a thing of awe
As Rohit Sharma watched from the other end and was entertained like everyone else, Shubman Gill cracked Mitchell Starc for a glorious six and 3 boundaries in the fast bowler’s opening spell, putting India ahead in the chase.
Searching for some swing, Starc went full and bowled, aiming for Gill’s pads. But the opener watched it closely and, with his immaculate timing and power that belies his lithe body, flicked – FLICKED – Mitchell Starc for a glorious sixer over the deep mid-wicket fence.
You can watch the video of Shubman Gill’s jaw-dropping six to Starc here:
A Powerplay #TeamIndia would be happy with.
The runs are flowing.
Will the Indian batters win the middle overs?Tune-in to the 3rd Mastercard #INDvAUS ODI, LIVE on the Star Sports Network & Disney+Hotstar!#BelieveInBlue #Cricket pic.twitter.com/IqAlP9cqmE
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 22, 2023
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav both took 3 wickets each in Chennai – the all-rounder dismissing Australia’s top order after a fiery start before Kuldeep routed the middle-order with Ravindra Jadeja (0/34 in 10 overs) in good support.
While none of the Australian batters crossed fifty, a collective performance meant they got to a fighting total of 269.
IND vs AUS 3rd ODI Playing XIs:
Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith(c), Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey(w), Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
