Australia vs India 2018: Watch - Mitchell Starc Rattles KL Rahul's Timber to Provide a Perfect Start to the Host

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc delivered a peach of a ball to dismiss Indian National Cricket team opener, KL Rahul to provide the hosts with a perfect start as they aim to defend the target at Perth.

Meanwhile, India bounced back after a wicketless morning session to bowl out Australia for 243 runs. Mohammed Shami was the star of the show returning with six wickets while Jasprit Bumrah returned with three. However, skipper Tim Paine and Usman Khawaja led a strong fight in the opening session.

Australia bore down the Indian bowlers, offering a dead bat to almost everything that was thrown their way. India’s bowlers kept things tight by bowling to strict lines and lengths. Jasprit Bumrah was the most dangerous, while Ishant and Shami too troubled the batsmen on quite a few occasions. The pitch showed that it was only to become more robust to bat on, with a few balls jumping off a length, while as many kept surprisingly low.

However, defending a target of 283 runs, Mitchell Starc provided Australia with the perfect start they hoped for. There was a hint of inswing for Starc from a length and Rahul was in two minds – whether to play or leave. But he chose the latter and was too late to withdraw his bat. The ball hits the bat and deflects onto the stumps. Had there been no bat, the ball would have gone straight to the keeper.

Mitchell Starc looked all pumped up as he was shedding fire on a challenging Perth wicket. He will be crucial for the hosts to bring them back in the four-match Test series.

Watch the video:

Oh, what a start with the ball for the Aussies!#AUSvIND | @Toyota_Aus pic.twitter.com/9P169hJXsi

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018