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Mitchell Starc on cusp of surpassing Kapil Dev, Dale Steyn in Test wickets
Darwin [Australia], August 6 (ANI): Australia pace spearhead Mitchell Starc is set to chase two significant milestones in Test cricket when the hosts begin their two-match series against Bangladesh in Darwin on August 13, with the veteran left-armer closing in on the wicket tallies of Kapil Dev and Dale Steyn.
Starc enters the series with 433 Test wickets, just one shy of Kapil Dev’s haul of 434. Two wickets in the series opener at Marrara Stadium would see the 36-year-old move past the former India captain and break into the top 10 on the all-time list of Test wicket-takers, according to cricket.com.au. esporist.org
The Australian quick could also climb the rankings among pace bowlers. Seven wickets across the two Tests would take him to 440 career wickets, moving him beyond South African legend Dale Steyn’s 439 and into fifth place among the highest wicket-taking fast bowlers in Test history. Only James Anderson (704), Stuart Broad (604), Glenn McGrath (563) and Courtney Walsh (519) would remain ahead of him.
The milestones come at a time when Starc continues to produce some of the best cricket of his career. The left-armer claimed 55 Test wickets at an average of 17.32 over the past year, playing a key role in Australia’s 4-1 Ashes series triumph and emerging as one of the leading contenders for the 2026 Allan Border Medal.
Starc has credited his consistency in recent years to improved mental clarity and the stability of Australia’s pace attack alongside captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
The experienced seamer has also evolved technically, making greater use of the wobble seam with the Kookaburra ball to remain a potent threat in all conditions.
Longevity has become another hallmark of Starc’s career. Since turning 35, only Australian great Glenn McGrath has taken more Test wickets among the country’s fast bowlers, underlining the left-armer’s enduring impact.
Australia have recalled Cummins, Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon for the Bangladesh series as they look to begin their home Test season on a strong note.
The first Test will be played in Darwin from August 13 to 17, while the second Test is scheduled in Mackay from August 22 to 26.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
Bangladesh squad (first Test): Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vc), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Amite Hasan, Jaker Ali Anik, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Musfik Hasan. (ANI)
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
‘उसे बस अपना गेम खेलने दो’, वैभव सूर्यवंशी को लेकर पूर्व स्टार खिलाड़ी ने दी वार्निंग
Ajinkya Rahane on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: जिम्बाब्वे दौरे पर धमाल मचाने के बाद वैभव सूर्यवंशी फिलहाल ब्रेक पर हैं। जल्द ही वह दिलीप ट्रॉफी 2026 में खेलते नजर आएंगे। उन्हें लेकर पूर्व भारतीय स्टार बल्लेबाज अजिंक्य रहाणे ने वैभव सूर्यवंशी को लेकर तरह-तरह की बयानबाजी करने वालों को वार्निंग देते हुए कहा है कि टेस्ट क्रिकेट में उसके भविष्य के बारे में अभी कुछ कहना जल्दबाजी होगी। फिलहाल इस टीनेजर को आगे बढ़ने देना चाहिए। इंडियन प्रीमियर लीग और इंटरनेशनल क्रिकेट दोनों पूरी तरह से अलग हैं।
‘Feel proud to see my name added to list of illustrious Mumbai captains’: Thakur
India pacer Shardul Thakur, who led Mumbai in the last Ranji season, says it’s a matter of pride to join the illustrious list of Mumbai captains.
“It’s a matter of pride because if you look at the list of Mumbai captains from the beginning, [Ashok] Mankad, [Polly] Umrigar, [Vijay] Merchant, the ‘Kar’ families [Ajit Wadekar, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Sanjay Manjrekar], [Ravi] Shastri, [Chandrakant] Pandit… these are all big names. So, to see the name Thakur go up on that board with them is a matter of huge pride for me and my family,” said Thakur.
With pride comes pressure too, but Thakur views it differently. “Most of Mumbai’s players have gone on to represent India. Also, we have won the Ranji Trophy a record 42 times, so, for me, it’s a very big deal to be Mumbai captain, and there’s no pressure,” added Thakur, who has taken 315 wickets and scored 2818 runs in 103 first-class matches so far.
India’s spin-first approach reflects a clear priority
Vaibhav Tripathi, Colombo
The numbers alone told the story. Three specialist spinners from the squad. Four net bowlers. Five or six local slow bowlers. Together, they formed the centrepiece of India’s first practice session at the NCC Grounds in Colombo, with every batter spending extended periods against spin in what was easily the busiest net of the day. It was evident that the team’s primary focus was on playing spin.
What stood out even more was the profile of the batters using that net. It was not confined to the frontline batters. Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain also padded up against the spinners, a sign that the team want everyone, regardless of their primary role, to spend time against slow bowling. It reflected a preparation strategy built around repetition, with India looking to maximise their exposure to the conditions they expect to encounter in Sri Lanka.
India’s vulnerability against spin has become increasingly difficult to ignore since the home series defeat to New Zealand in 2024. Their methods against slow bowling have come under sustained scrutiny, and the defeat to South Africa last year only reinforced the perception that it remains an area of concern. Sri Lanka, with its reputation for producing spin-friendly pitches and offering assistance to slow bowlers deep into Test matches, presents another examination. Judging by the first practice session, India are leaving little to chance as they attempt to address a weakness that could shape the outcome of the series.
Gautam Gambhir was seen closely monitoring the dedicated net where the batters were facing the spinners. At the start of the practice session, the India head coach had a lengthy conversation with Ravindra Jadeja before Manav Suthar joined them.
Devdutt Padikkal did not take any throwdowns and was the first batter to face the tweakers. In a session that lasted close to 40 minutes, he looked the least confident batter against spin. On several occasions, he was beaten on the outside edge by Saransh and on the inside edge by Jadeja and Suthar. There was a noticeable lack of footwork. But when Shubman Gill walked in, he made batting look effortless on a turning practice wicket. Solid in defence and proactive against spin, using his feet regularly, Gill looked in a different zone altogether. The other batters, including Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, also enjoyed a productive hit-out in the nets.
Gambhir remained deeply involved throughout the session. He was seen having lengthy discussions with Gill, Pant, Jurel and Jadeja about technical adjustments during practice. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak also spent considerable time in conversation with Gill.
The choice to travel with four net spinners is perhaps the clearest indication yet of where India’s attention lies. Recent failures against spin have shaped both the conversation and the preparations, and the team appear determined to ensure they are better equipped when the series gets underway.
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