Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has given a massive suggestion to the Rohit Sharma-led side on how to tackle the threat of Mitchell Starc in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He mentioned that the fast bowler gets tired after his first spell and it is easy to play him after that.
Australian national cricket team skipper Mitchell Starc has posed a massive threat to the Indian national cricket team batsmen in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The left-arm boost was the main reason behind the poor batting of the Rohit Sharma-led team in the series.
Mitchell Starc is Australia's joint highest run-getter in BGT 2024-25
Starc was very effective with the new ball as he moved the ball both ways superbly. The fast bowler took a six-wicket haul in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide and backed that up with three more at the Gabba, helping Australia bounce back in the series after losing the first match.
Starc is Australia's joint-highest wicket-taker in this series with 14 wickets at an average of 22.86. He, in particular, has troubled the top order batsmen more and with two games left in the series, he will be important for his side.
We have to bat well in the first five overs and make him bowl the second and third spells because he is tiring – Cheteshwar Pujara on Mitchell Starc
With India struggling to get going against Starc, Cheteshwar Pujara has advised India's batsmen to be cautious against the pacer in his first spell. He pointed out that the pacer is ineffective in the second and third spells.
Cheteshwar Pujara also heaped praise on Mitchell Starc, saying the fast bowler has improved a lot. He pointed out that earlier it was easy to score runs against the pacer but now he is very threatening. Speaking to Star Sports, he explained:
“He took most of his wickets in his first five overs, his first spell. We have to bat well in the first five overs and bowl him in the second and third spells because he is tiring. When Mitchell Starc was bowling to Bumrah and Akash Deep with the old ball, he was not that effective. So play the new ball correctly.
“He has been their best bowler so far in this series. He has improved his bowling a lot in the last one and a half years. If I talk about my personal experience, when he used to bowl in the last two series, I felt we can get runs. However, it now looks like when he comes to bowl, he will pick up wickets.
He looks more dangerous than Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood – Cheteshwar on Mitchell Starc
Cheteshwar Pujara while praising Mitchell Starc said the fast bowler has become a different bowler and looks more dangerous than Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. He explained:
“His accuracy has improved a lot. He bowls very few loose deliveries. He bowls at the stumps, consistently hits the good length spot and swings. He has become a different bowler. He looks more dangerous than Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood So that we will have to handle his bowling, especially with the new ball,” he concluded.
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