Border Gavaskar Trophy: What is the recipe to counter Mitchell Starc?

The ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has been a fiercely contested series, with India clinching the opening Test, Australia leveling the series in the second, and the third match ending in a hard-fought draw. As the teams gear up for the crucial fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), one player who has consistently made headlines is Australia’s pace spearhead, Mitchell Starc. After a slow start to the series, Starc has rediscovered his rhythm in the last two games, proving to be a formidable challenge for India’s batting lineup. His raw pace, pinpoint accuracy, and ability to swing the ball have made him a significant threat, troubling even the most experienced Indian batters. Starc’s recent form has not only boosted Australia’s confidence but has also set the stage for an intense showdown in the upcoming Test.

Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara, known for his patience and technique, recently addressed Starc’s stellar performances. Acknowledging the left-arm pacer’s impact, Pujara commended Starc for his consistency and effectiveness in the series. Speaking to the media, Pujara also shared insights on countering Starc’s bowling, advising the Indian batters to focus on their defensive game and exercise caution against his trademark inswingers and sharp bouncers. As the series hangs in the balance, Starc’s performance at the MCG could be pivotal. Pujara’s words of wisdom, coupled with India’s preparations to tackle the Australian quick, add another layer of intrigue to what promises to be an electrifying Test.

“He has taken most of his wickets in his first five overs, his first spell. We need to bat well in the first five overs and make him bowl the second and third spells because he gets tired,” said senior Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara during a recent interview. 

“When Mitchell Starc was bowling to Bumrah and Akash Deep with the old ball, he wasn’t that effective. So, play the new ball properly. He has been their best bowler thus far in this series. He has improved his bowling a lot in the last one to one-and-a-half years. If I talk about my personal experience, when he used to bowl in the last two series, we felt we could get runs. However, now it seems like when he comes to bowl, he will pick up wickets,” he added. 

Senior Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara also shared his admiration for Mitchell Starc's recent performances, highlighting the Australian pacer’s marked improvement. Pujara noted that Starc has elevated his bowling to an entirely new level, showcasing a lethal combination of pace, accuracy, and skill that has consistently troubled Indian batters throughout the series.

According to Pujara, one of the most notable changes in Starc’s bowling has been his ability to minimize loose deliveries, maintaining a relentless pressure on batters. This newfound discipline, coupled with his natural ability to generate swing and extract bounce, has made him one of the most dangerous bowlers in the series. Pujara observed that Starc’s pinpoint execution of plans and adaptability in various conditions have significantly contributed to his success, underlining his status as one of the premier fast bowlers in the modern game.

Pujara’s acknowledgment of Starc’s form is a testament to the respect the Australian quick commands on the field. With the fourth Test at the MCG approaching, Pujara emphasized the importance of Indian batters staying vigilant against Starc’s aggressive spells. He suggested a strategy of patience and precision to counter the left-arm pacer’s threat, recognizing that neutralizing Starc could be crucial to India’s chances of taking a decisive lead in the series.

“His accuracy has improved a lot. He is bowling very few loose deliveries. He is bowling at the stumps, hitting the good length spot consistently, and getting swing. He has become a different bowler. He is looking more dangerous than Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. So we will have to manage his bowling, especially with the new ball," Pujara stated.