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In a recent episode of the LiSTNR sports podcast, Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc opened up about his harrowing experience facing Indian captain Rohit Sharma during their Super 8 clash at the 2024 T20 World Cup in St Lucia. Starc, known for his fiery pace and ability to trouble the best batsmen, found himself at the receiving end of a brutal onslaught from Rohit in a single over that left him and the Aussie team shell-shocked.
Mitchell Starc shares his side of the story
Recalling the fateful over, Starc said, “It was one of those days where everything Rohit touched turned to gold. I tried my best to execute my plans, but he was just too good on the day.”
Rohit’s assault began with him launching Starc for a massive six over deep midwicket, followed by another maximum over long-on. The Indian captain then drove the ball through the covers for a boundary, showcasing his class and timing.
As the over progressed, Rohit’s aggression only intensified. He dispatched a full toss from Starc to the stands at deep midwicket, unfazed by the bowler’s reputation. Even a wide yorker failed to deter the Indian skipper, who nonchalantly flicked it for another six.
Here’s the video
Mitchell Starc said, "I bowled 5 bad balls in my spell against India, Rohit Sharma smashed all of them for sixes (smiles)". @ImRo45🐐🔥 pic.twitter.com/ozOjWLq6MI
— Kuljot⁴⁵ (@Ro45Kuljot) July 11, 2024
Starc’s woes continued as Rohit top-edged a full toss for his fourth maximum of the over, taking the pacer to the cleaners. By the end of the over, Rohit had smashed 29 runs off Starc, including four sixes and a boundary, leaving the Australian with figures of 1-0-29-0.
“Bad…He Hit All Sixes,” Starc recalled, shaking his head in disbelief.
“I’ve bowled to some of the best batsmen in the world, but what Rohit did that day was on another level altogether”, he added.
Also WATCH: Rohit Sharma powerfully thrashes Mitchell Starc in a 29-run over during AUS vs IND game
Aftermath of the onslaught by Rohit Sharma
Rohit’s onslaught not only dented Starc’s confidence but also pushed him into the record books for all the wrong reasons. The 29 runs conceded by Starc in that over became his own most expensive in a T20I match, surpassing his own previous record of 22 runs against New Zealand in the 2021 T20 World Cup final.
Despite the setback, Starc managed to have the last laugh as he returned to dismiss Rohit with a perfect yorker later in the innings. However, the damage had already been done, as Rohit went on to score a blistering 92 off just 41 balls, including 8 sixes and 7 fours, to set up India’s victory.
As Starc reflected on the incident, he acknowledged the sheer brilliance of Rohit’s batting and the importance of learning from such experiences. “At the end of the day, it’s just one over in a long career. I’ll take the lessons from this and come back stronger,” he said, determined to bounce back from the setback.
The clash between Starc and Rohit in the 2024 T20 World Cup will undoubtedly go down as one of the most memorable encounters in the tournament’s history, showcasing the raw power and skill of one of the game’s most dynamic batter against one of the world’s best fast bowlers.
