Mitchell Starc breaks silence on KL Rahul's controversial dismissal in Perth Test

Australia’s star speedster Mitchell Starc has broken his silence on the controversial wicket of Indian batter KL Rahul in the ongoing first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Friday, November 23.

Controversy erupted on Day 1 of the ongoing five-match Test series opener between India and Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth, as KL Rahul’s dismissal sparked heated debates among fans and former cricketers.

Mitchell Starc's take on KL Rahul's controversial dismissal goes viral

The incident, which unfolded just before lunch, became the talking point of Day 1, with questions raised over the third umpire’s decision-making process. Mitchell Starc’s delivery, which appeared to brush the edge or possibly just graze KL Rahul’s pad, was initially not given out by the on-field umpire.

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However, Australia decided to take DRS, bringing the third umpire Richard Illingworth into the picture at Optus Stadium. Despite limited technology, including the absence of a split-screen view to clarify the ball's contact point, Richard Illingworth overturned the on-field umpire’s decision, declaring KL Rahul caught behind.

This left the Indian batter frustrated as he walked off after a gritty knock of 26 off 74 balls. This decision added to India’s struggles, with the team reduced to 51/4 at the break. While Mitchell Starc downplayed the dismissal as routine, critics and fans questioned the accuracy and fairness of the decision, reigniting debates over the use of DRS in high-stakes matches.

I thought it was just a regulation wicket: Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc said at a press conference: “It got overturned obviously, but I thought it was just a regulation wicket, the sound it made, the timing of it. I thought it was just a regulation wicket.”

An astonishing 17 wickets tumbled on Day 1 of the ongoing Perth Test, setting a new record on Australian soil. However, the senior pacer Starc remained optimistic, as he reckoned that the batting conditions are likely to improve in the second innings. He said that the key will be enduring the challenges posed by the new Kookaburra ball at the Optus Stadium.

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Starc stated, “I think there was a fair bit of good bowling today. Obviously, there was enough in the wicket, and it probably felt like it was a hardball wicket. When the ball started to get a little bit softer towards the back end of that Indian innings, it probably didn’t do as much. (There was) still enough there, but it didn’t do as much as the brand-new hardball.”

Ravi Shastri and Michael Hussey slam third umpire over controversial decision in Perth Test

Meanwhile, former India head coach Ravi Shastri, speaking during his commentary for Fox Cricket, slammed the third umpire for overturning the on-field decision of not out despite not having sufficient evidence against the right-handed batter KL Rahul.

Ravi Shastri said on-air in Perth, “My initial reaction was, was there enough evidence there for the third umpire to overrule what was given? It was not out on the field of play. Did I see enough there for me to be convinced? I didn't see enough, to be honest.”

On the other hand, former Australia batter Michael Hussey acknowledged during the broadcast that the third umpire's decision was a controversial one. He felt KL Rahul became the victim of an unfair call in the ongoing Perth Test.

Hussey said while commentating for Fox Cricket: “That's controversial—there was a spike on the Snicko, but was the spike coming from the ball hitting the bat, or was it the bat hitting his pad? You can see the bat just clipping the pad, so you've just got to get the timing right...there's got to be some doubt there in my mind.”