Mitchell Starc's 176.5 Kmph Delivery vs India: Fact or Fiction?
During the first One Day International (ODI) between Australia and India in Perth on October 19, 2025, a delivery by Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc caused a stir. The speed gun displayed an astonishing 176.5 kmph (approximately 109.7 mph). This immediately sparked excitement and disbelief among fans, as it seemingly surpassed the existing world record for the fastest ball ever bowled in cricket.
The incident occurred in the very first over of the match when Starc was bowling to Indian captain Rohit Sharma. The eye-popping number flashed on the screen, and social media platforms were flooded with discussions and debates. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide wondered if Starc had indeed broken Shoaib Akhtar's long-standing record of 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph), set during the 2003 World Cup against England. Shoaib Akhtar, nicknamed the "Rawalpindi Express," is known as one of the fastest bowlers in cricket history.
However, the exhilaration was short-lived. Match officials soon clarified that the speed gun had malfunctioned and the displayed figure was inaccurate. Starc's actual delivery speed was likely within his usual range of 140-150 km/h. Therefore, Mitchell Starc did not break Shoaib Akhtar's record for the fastest delivery in cricket.
Despite the speed gun glitch, Starc's performance was noteworthy. He bowled a fiery opening spell, troubling the Indian top order with his pace and generating steep bounce from the Perth pitch. Starc dismissed Virat Kohli for a duck, marking Kohli's first-ever ODI duck on Australian soil. India struggled early, slumping to 21/2 after losing Rohit Sharma for 8 runs.
The match was eventually reduced to 26 overs per side due to rain. India finished their innings at 136/9, with KL Rahul (38) and Axar Patel (31) being the main contributors. Australia successfully chased down the revised target of 131 runs, winning the match by seven wickets. Mitchell Marsh led the scoring with 46 runs.
While the 176.5 kmph delivery proved to be a technical error, the incident generated considerable buzz and highlighted the enduring fascination with speed in cricket.
