[Watch] Mitchell Starc flattens Shubman Gill's middle-stump with a searing yorker in 2nd BGT 2024-25 TestÂ
Mitchell Starc flattened Shubman Gill's middle-stump completely against the run of play on Saturday (December 7) in the second 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Adelaide. Gill, who was batting with excellent control, had to go for 28 (30).
It happened in the 18th over of India's second innings. Starc was amid his second spell, which was as inconsistent and uninspiring like his first. But the second ball was an extraordinary in-swinger that came from far outside the off-stump, swooshed under the bat and hit the middle. Gill had no chance.
Watch it here:
Suddenly after the wicket, Starc found his rhythm and consistency. The next ball, to new batter Rohit Sharma, was short and forced him into a concussion test, which was followed by an LBW appeal. The umpire gave it on-field but it turned out that Starc had over-stepped.
Still, even that one wicket was a key one for Australia. Gill had looked the most assured among the Indian batters and was playing with a nice clarity in his plans, even as he saw Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli lose their wickets on the other end.
India in trouble, reliant on Pant after Gill's wicket
India once again found them heavily reliant on Rishabh Pant after Gill's wicket. KL Rahul, Jaiswal and Kohli all went cheaply for the second time in the Test but the wicketkeeper-batter came out almost insulated to all that noise and pressure.
He hit his first ball for four over covers against Scott Boland, who was maintaining a nagging line and length, and then took him on further with scoop shots on both sides of the wicketkeeper. For India to recover, he'll need help from his captain, Rohit Sharma, who joined him at the other end.
Rohit hasn't been in his best form but this is when India need him the most. Catch all the live action here.