NEW DELHI: Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara has identified Australian pacer Mitchell Starc as a significant threat to India in the upcoming fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. With 14 wickets in the first three Tests, Starc has been instrumental for Australia and is tied as the series’ leading wicket-taker for the hosts alongside captain Pat Cummins.
Speaking on Star Sports, Pujara praised Starc's evolution as a bowler, noting his marked improvement since previous encounters. "He has been their best bowler thus far in this series," Pujara said. "He has improved his bowling a lot in the last one to one-and-a-half years. If I talk about my personal experience, when he used to bowl in the last two series, we felt we could get runs. However, now it seems like when he comes to bowl, he will pick up wickets."
Highlighting Starc's precision and effectiveness, Pujara added, "His accuracy has improved a lot. He is bowling very few loose deliveries. He is bowling at the stumps, hitting the good length spot consistently, and getting swings. He has become a different bowler."
Pujara also stressed the importance of countering Starc, when the ball is new. "He is looking more dangerous than Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. So we will have to manage his bowling, especially with the new ball. He has taken most of his wickets in his first five overs, his first spell. We need to bat well in the first five overs and make him bowl the second and third spells because he gets tired," Pujara advised.
Reflecting on Starc's effectiveness in later spells, Pujara noted that the pacer wasn't as lethal against the lower order. "When Mitchell Starc was bowling to Bumrah and Akash Deep with the old ball, he wasn't that effective. So, play the new ball properly," he remarked.
As the Boxing Day Test approaches, India's top order will need to heed Pujara's insights to navigate the challenge posed by a resurgent Mitchell Starc, whose form has been pivotal to Australia's performance in the series.
