'Mitchell Starc liked bowling to him': Alyssa Healy trolls Virat Kohli over outside off-stump weakness

Australia Women's star Alyssa Healy has recently reflected on one of cricket’s most iconic rivalries between her husband, Mitchell Starc, and Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli, who recently retired from Test cricket. Alyssa Healy admitted that many Aussie bowlers might be feeling relaxed after Virat Kohli’s retirement from the traditional format of the game.

Mitchell Starc, like many Australian fast bowlers, had his fair share of fiery encounters with Kohli. However, Healy stressed that his husband actually enjoyed the challenge. It wasn’t just about dismissing the Indian batting maestro, but it was also about the cat-and-mouse game.

Kohli’s trademark cover drive, the sharp glare, the aggressive running—the former Indian captain brought it all every time he faced the Kangaroos in the whites. The dashing right-handed batter was a nightmare wrapped in elegance for the Australian bowlers, having piled up over 2000 Test runs and nine centuries against them alone.

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Alyssa Healy opens up about fierce yet friendly battles between Mitchell Starc and Virat Kohli

His ability to dominate in hostile conditions, especially on Australian soil, made him a rare breed. From his fiery 22-year-old days at the SCG to becoming the first Indian captain to win a Test series in Australia, Kohli transformed into a legend, not just in India but in the hearts of even his fiercest rivals.

Read Also: Nasser Hussain drops bomb, links Virat Kohli’s retirement to his fear of being a 'normal cricketer'

Australia’s top pacers like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc all had their moments with Virat. Recently, Healy revealed that Starc actually enjoyed bowling to Kohli while mocking the Indian icon’s recent weakness against the outside off-stump delivery. She explained that some people saw this as a technical flaw, but it was part of Kohli’s attacking style throughout his career.

Alyssa Healy said on the LiSTNR Sport podcast, “Funnily enough, Mitch actually liked bowling to him because he was like, just hang it outside off-stump, and Virat loved to nick it. But that's why I loved that. Everyone's saying he had this technical flaw. Yes, because he wants to hit the ball, and that's what he's done throughout his career.”

The flair Virat Kohli had on both sides of the wicket is pretty cool: Alyssa Healy

The Australian woman cricketer praised Kohli’s bravery to play aggressive shots, which sometimes led to mistakes, but also put pressure back on the bowlers. She noted that when Kohli was calm and steady at the crease, he was very hard to dismiss and played beautifully on both sides of the wicket.

Healy added, “To be brave enough and drive those balls on the up is going to get you in trouble every now and then, but you've got to counterattack as well. If you get it right, it puts it back on the bowler. But yeah, when he was unbelievably still at the crease, his head did not move. He looked so difficult to remove, and the flair he had on both sides of the wicket is pretty cool.”

She was then asked a quick, unexpected quiz about Kohli and his battles against Australia by the host, Adam Peacock, on the podcast. She badly failed in the quiz game.

Read Also: "You kind of pity the person...": Michael Atherton hails Virat Kohli but warns India about No.4 crisis

Alyssa Healy fails quiz on Virat Kohli’s dismissals by Australian bowlers

Adam Peacock: Which Australian cricketer has dismissed Virat Kohli the most times in Test cricket?

Healy: I feel like it's Mitch (Mitchell Starc).

Adam Peacock: And your bias would tell you that you're wrong.

Healy: Umm, Are they still playing?

Adam Peacock: Yes.

Healy: Josh Hazlewood

Adam Peacock: No

Healy: Ok, I give up.

Adam Peacock: Nathan Lyon (7 dismissals). Next question. Out of Scott Boland, Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc, who has dismissed Kohli the most?

Healy: I feel like it's Josh.

Adam Peacock: I feel like you're out of wind. It's Mitch.

Healy: Oh, Mitch (6 times), I am a stinker.