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Cricket fans around the world were left in disbelief when Australian pacer Mitchell Starc appeared to bowl the fastest delivery ever recorded in international cricket — a jaw-dropping 176.5 kilometers per hour — during the first ODI against India in Perth on Sunday.
As Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first, Starc opened the attack for the hosts under clear Western Australian skies. His first ball to Indian captain Rohit Sharma flashed past the bat, and the speed gun displayed an unbelievable figure — 176.5kph. Within moments, social media platforms lit up with astonishment and speculation. Could Starc have actually broken Shoaib Akhtar’s long-standing world record?
However, as the match progressed, officials confirmed what many had suspected: the speed gun had malfunctioned, and the reading was incorrect. While Starc’s ball looked fiery fast, it certainly hadn’t reached the physics-defying 176.5kph mark.
The Truth Behind the “Record-Breaking” Delivery
According to Cricket Australia’s technical team, the speed radar momentarily glitched, producing an inflated number. Starc’s actual deliveries during the over were clocked at around 142 to 146kph, consistent with his usual pace.
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Despite the error, Starc’s spell was a reminder of why he remains one of the most feared fast bowlers in world cricket. He generated bounce and seam movement on the lively Perth pitch, keeping both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill under pressure early in their innings.
Starc’s fiery start and relentless accuracy created opportunities for his teammates, and the breakthrough came in the fourth over when Josh Hazlewood dismissed Rohit. The Indian skipper edged a rising delivery to Matt Renshaw at second slip, departing for just 8 runs off 14 balls — a frustrating return after his long-awaited comeback to international cricket.
Shoaib Akhtar’s Record Still Stands
For now, the title of “fastest delivery in international cricket” still belongs to Shoaib Akhtar, who famously bowled a 161.3kph (100.23 mph) thunderbolt to Nick Knight during the 2003 ODI World Cup against England in Cape Town. That record, verified by the ICC, has stood unchallenged for more than two decades.
While several bowlers — including Shaun Tait, Brett Lee, Mitchell Starc, and Lockie Ferguson — have come close, none have officially surpassed Akhtar’s record-breaking speed.
Starc’s Impactful Spell Against India
Even without breaking records, Starc’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. He maintained speeds consistently above 140kph, swinging the ball both ways and keeping India’s top order under constant scrutiny.
He eventually dismissed Virat Kohli, trapping him in front with a full, in-swinging delivery that left the crowd roaring in approval. Starc’s aggression set the tone early, as Australia’s pacers combined to dismantle India’s top order within the first 10 overs.
By the time the ball stopped moving, India found themselves reeling under pressure — a familiar story for visiting teams at the bouncy Perth pitch, where Starc has built his reputation as a genuine match-winner.
Fans React Online
The moment the 176.5kph reading flashed on screens, fans erupted online.
“Starc just broke the laws of physics!” one user joked on X (formerly Twitter).
Another quipped, “If that’s true, Rohit’s bat might need a new handle.”
Within minutes, hashtags like #Starc176, #FastestBall, and #SpeedGunError began trending. Cricket fans debated the credibility of the reading, with many comparing it to past radar malfunctions seen in other matches.
The Reality of Speed Guns in Cricket
Speed guns, while advanced, are not immune to glitches. Environmental factors such as lighting, ball angle, and radar calibration can sometimes produce erroneous readings. Experts say that a delivery over 170kph is practically impossible under current physical and biomechanical limits.
In Starc’s case, it was clearly an equipment error — but one that gave fans a few minutes of pure excitement and nostalgia, reminding them of the days when Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee redefined fast bowling.
