Australian pace trio Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have been signed as supplementary players for the upcoming Big Bash League. While Pat Cummins will play for Sydney Thunder, Starc and Hazlewood will be featured for the Sydney Sixers for the upcoming season as well.

However, both franchises would confirm the signings on Thursday, December 12 as well. While the trio will be busy with their international commitments, it is expected that they won't feature a lot in the upcoming season too. Meanwhile, the trio are likely to be a part of the off-field side of things whenever they are available. Notably, Cummins had been a part of the Thunder side from the fifth to the ninth season as well, which was also his last one as well.

"I’m excited to have a voice and fully back the guys throughout the season" - Pat Cummins

On the other hand, Starc and Hazlewood have been with the Sydney Sixers from the very start and won the inaugural BBL title, alongside Cummins as well.

Pat Cummins also claimed that he was really proud to be a part of the Sydney Thunder. He also said that the current squad is shaping up to be a special one as well.

SEE ALSO: 'Good to see him working on the game' - Harbhajan Singh on Virat Kohli

“As a Western Sydney guy at heart, I’m really proud to be a part of the team this summer. While international duties mean I can’t be around as much as I’d like, I’m excited to have a voice and fully back the guys throughout the season. It’s fantastic to have talent like Sam Billings back. I first played with him in Penrith, so our Western Sydney connection runs deep. He’s a great addition to the squad," Cummins said.

Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood are all currently playing the BGT

Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc equalled an incredible record in Test cricket history after dismissing the Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal on the first ball of the Test match. 

The Adelaide Test, the only day-night pink-ball Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, started with a wicket for Mitchell Starc. After the Indian captain Rohit Sharma chose to bat first, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul opened for India. 

Watch: Siraj loses his cool over Labuschagne, hurls the ball back at him in anger

Mitchell Starc created history after dismissing Jaiswal

The left-handed opening batter Jaiswal faced the first ball of the Test match, and Starc trapped him for an lbw dismissal. It was the third time when Starc took a wicket on the first ball of a Test match, which is an incredible performance for a bowler. Previously he recorded it against Sri Lanka in the 2016 Galle Test (Dimuth Karunaratne) and against England in the 2021 Brisbane Test (Rory Burns). 

Starc equalled the record for the most times to pick up a wicket on the first ball of a Test match. Former West Indies fast bowler Pedro Collins was the first player to record it three times in Test match history. 

The second bests in the record book

Legendary New Zealand cricketer Richard Hadlee, former English pacer Geoff Arnold, legendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev, and former Sri Lankan pacer Suranga Lakmal each recorded twice to claim a wicket on the first ball of a Test match.

During the innings, Starc recorded his 15th Test five-wicket haul. The left-arm fast bowler ended the innings with the bowling figures of 14.1-2-48-6. It was his best bowling figures in a Test innings. His bowling destroyed the Indian batting line-up for only 180 runs in the first innings of the Adelaide Test. 

The day-night pink ball Adelaide Test is taking a tough test on the visitors India, who had a hard opening day of the Test match. Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc completely dominated with the ball, and then the Aussie top orders handled the Jasprit Bumrah-led Indian bowling line-up very well.  

At the 1-0 series lead, Indian captain Rohit Sharma chose to bat first after winning the toss on his return. While India were all out for 180 runs, Australia ended the opening day with 86/1 and trailing by 94 runs.

Watch: Siraj loses his cool over Labuschagne, hurls the ball back at him in anger

Dramas in the first innings

After the opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was out by Mitchell Starc on the first ball of the Test match, another opener KL Rahul and the no.3 batter Shubman Gill produced a strong start for India. Although Rahul was lucky in Scott Boland's first over as his dismissal was ruled out due to a no-ball and another chance drop, he then controlled the next period very well. Rahul and Gill had a 69-run partnership for the second wicket before Mitchell Starc started to dominate with the ball.

At the dinner, India were in trouble at 82/4 due to a fall of three quick wickets. At first, Starc broke the second-wicket partnership as the opener Rahul lost his wicket after scoring 37 runs. In his next over, Starc took the wicket of Virat Kohli for just seven runs. Boland then dismissed Shubman Gill for 31 runs.

In the second session, Australian bowlers dominated. While captain Rohit Sharma scored only three runs before Boland took his wicket, Rishabh Pant (21) was dismissed by Cummins. Ravichandran Ashwin also showed some fight with his run-a-ball 22 runs with three fours before Starc took his wicket. 

Nitish Kumar Reddy fought hard till the end and scored a brave 42 runs off 54 balls with three fours and three sixes. His batting helped India to cross the 150-run mark as he was the last batter to be dismissed. Before Starc took his wicket, India scored 180 runs. 

Mitchell Starc bagged six wickets in the innings. The left-arm fast bowler had the bowling figures of 14.1-2-48-6. It was his best bowling figures in a Test innings. Scott Boland (2/54) and captain Pat Cummins (2/41) took two wickets each.

Australian batters were in control

Although Jasprit Bumrah broke the 24-run opening partnership by dismissing experienced Usman Khawaja for 13 runs, another opener Nathan McSweeney and the no.3 batter Marnus Labuschagne batted strongly in the opening day evening. While McSweeney scored 38 not out off 97 balls, Labuschagne scored 20 not out off 67 balls. Indian bowlers fought hard but it was not a day for them. At the stumps of day one, the Australian unbroken second wicket partnership has added 62 runs. 

The day-night pink-ball Adelaide Test started stunningly as the Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc dismissed the Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal on the first delivery of the match. 

Leading the five-match Test series of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 by 1-0, the Indian captain Rohit Sharma returned to the Test series and chose to bat first in the second Test at Adelaide Oval. It is the only day-night pink-ball Test in this series.

Mitchell Starc dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal

The Adelaide Test started with Starc taking Jaiswal’s wicket on the first ball of the match. It was a full on leg stump delivery that swung back and Jaiswal fell into the lbw trap. It made the Indian scoreboard 0/1. 

FIRST BALL OF THE TEST!

Mitchell Starc sends Adelaide into delirium.#AUSvIND | #PlayOfTheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/pIPwqlX3dJ

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2024

New rivalry between Jaiswal and Starc

The 22-year-old Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has started a great rivalry story against the 34-year-old experienced Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc. In the opening game of the Test series at Perth Stadium, Starc dismissed Jaiswal in the first innings for a duck. Jaiswal faced all eight deliveries against Starc, where he snatched five runs through a four-bye and a no-ball, and the left-arm fast bowler won that battle. 

However, Jaiswal dominated in India’s second innings by scoring 51 runs in 69 balls against Starc. After scoring 161 runs off 297 balls, Jaiswal was dismissed by Mitchell Marsh. In that memorable innings, which inspired India to claim a big win, Jaiswal hit seven fours and a six to Starc.

During India's second innings of the Perth Test, when Jaiswal was dominating, he was heard to say Starc, "You are coming too slow at me?" 

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 🫣

That wasn’t slow from #Starc! With a long memory, he targeted #Jaiswal and took him down on the very first ball 🤐

Watch #AUSvINDOnStar 👉 2nd Test, Day 2 | SAT 7 DEC, 8:30 AM on Star Sports! #AUSvIND #ToughestRivalry pic.twitter.com/FvBHddKZoc

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 6, 2024

Day 2 of the Perth Test saw an electrifying moment when Yashasvi Jaiswal decided to take on Australia's Mitchell Starc in a verbal exchange. During the 19th over of India’s second innings, Jaiswal struck Starc for a stunning boundary, prompting a mocking stare and grin from the Aussie pacer.

Banter with Starc sets the stage 

Unfazed, Jaiswal responded boldly, declaring, "You are coming too slow at me." The young batter further silenced Starc by delivering another confident stroke, underlining his mettle against one of cricket’s fiercest bowlers.

The banter marked a significant turning point in the innings, as Jaiswal, dismissed for a duck in the first innings, showed his resolve to make amends and keep India in a commanding position.

Starc to Harshit: I'm faster than you mate
Yashasvi Jaiswal to Starc: You are coming too slow!#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/eGaGChrEEp

— Registanroyals (@registanroyals) November 23, 2024

Half-century and records: Jaiswal’s spectacular comeback

Following his eight-ball dismissal in the first innings, Jaiswal bounced back in style. The left-handed batter scored a gritty 50 off 88 balls, laced with five boundaries, propelling India to a crucial lead of 130 runs by tea.

With this knock, Jaiswal set two remarkable records. He now holds the record for the most fifty-plus scores in 2024, surpassing Joe Root with his 10th such performance. Additionally, Jaiswal broke Gautam Gambhir’s 16-year-old record for the most runs by an Indian left-handed batter in Tests in a calendar year, amassing over 1160 runs.

See Also: Watch: Shreyas Iyer smashes 57-ball 130 for Mumbai in SMAT

Root, who trails Jaiswal in the fifty-plus scores tally for 2024, leads the Test run charts with 1338 runs. However, Jaiswal’s consistent performances this year highlight his rapid rise in the international arena, solidifying his place as one of Test cricket’s brightest stars.

In a sensational display of pace bowling, India bowled Australia out for a paltry 104 in their second innings, securing a vital first-innings lead of 46 runs on Day 2 of the Perth Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. The Optus Stadium pitch continued to favor the seamers, and India’s bowlers, led by stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah, ensured Australia struggled to recover from their overnight collapse.

Bumrah shines bright with 5-wicket haul

Australia resumed their innings at 67/7, with Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc at the crease, hoping to bridge the deficit. However, Jasprit Bumrah dashed their plans with a fiery spell. The Indian captain struck with the very first ball of Day 2, removing Carey for 12, and completed his 5-wicket haul in style. Bumrah’s immaculate line and length, combined with his ability to extract movement, left the Australian batting lineup in tatters.

Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah etched his name in the history books during the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, claiming his 11th 5-wicket haul in Test cricket. With this feat, Bumrah has become the joint-highest Indian bowler with the most 5-wicket hauls in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) nations, matching the legendary Kapil Dev's record of seven fifers in these conditions. Additionally, Bumrah has entered the top-10 list for the most five-wicket hauls by an Indian bowler, solidifying his legacy as one of India's finest pacers.

Nathan Lyon fell shortly after to debutant Harshit Rana, reducing Australia to 79/9. However, a resilient 25-run stand between Starc and Josh Hazlewood delayed India’s march. The young pacer impressed with figures of 2/25 in his maiden Test, claiming two crucial wickets to support India’s pace dominance. Starc showed grit with the bat, remaining unbeaten on 19, but Rana returned to dismiss Hazlewood, sealing Australia’s innings at 104.

See Also: BGT 2024-25: Bumrah leads from the front on record-breaking Day 1 in Perth

Harshit beats Starc

Despite the Australian collapse, Mitchell Starc brought a touch of light-heartedness to the intense match. During Rana’s fiery spell, the stump mic caught Starc cheekily reminding the Indian pacer, “Harshit, I bowl faster than you. I’ve got a long memory.” The playful banter, stemming from their camaraderie as former Kolkata Knight Riders teammates, quickly went viral on social media.

Rana responded with a wry smile and let his bowling do the talking. His dismissal of Lyon and eventual breakthrough against Starc’s partner, Hazlewood, highlighted his composure under pressure. The lively exchanges between the two added a unique flavor to an otherwise intense Test match. India’s pace attack, spearheaded by Bumrah and ably supported by Mohammed Siraj and Rana, showcased remarkable discipline and skill, setting the tone for a thrilling contest in Perth.

Brief Scores: India 150 (Nitish Reddy 41, Rishabh Pant 38; Josh Hazlewood 4/29, Mitchell Marsh 2/12, Mitchell Marsh 2/14, Pat Cummins 2/67) lead Australia 104 (Mitchell Starc 26; Jasprit Bumrah 5/30, Harshit Rana 3/48) by 46 runs

The intense battle of the first Test between India and Australia at the Optus Stadium was punctuated by a playful yet competitive exchange between Mitchell Starc and Indian debutant Harshit Rana. The humorous moment, which highlighted the spirit of cricket, occurred during Day 2 and quickly became a talking point on social media.

Rana’s fiery spell sparks Starc’s playful jibe

The moment unfolded during the 30th over of Australia’s innings when Harshit Rana, bowling with pace and aggression, delivered a fiery barrage of short-pitched deliveries to Mitchell Starc. The Australian pacer was forced to duck and weave as Rana’s deliveries extracted sharp bounce off the lively Perth wicket.

As Rana walked back to his mark, Starc, caught on the stump mic, playfully quipped, “Harshit, I bowl faster than you. I’ve got a long memory.” The cheeky comment, delivered with a grin, hinted at possible retribution when Rana would come out to bat. Rana, unfazed, responded with a smile, demonstrating maturity and composure in only his first Test match.

Mitch Starc offers a little warning to Harshit Rana 😆#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/KoFFsdNbV2

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 23, 2024

See Also: Watch: Faf du Plessis powers Samp Army and brings win in Abu Dhabi T10

Camaraderie and competition shine through

The banter between Starc and Rana drew attention not only for its humor but also for the camaraderie between the two players, who recently shared a successful stint as teammates at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Despite Starc’s playful remarks, Rana showcased his potential, taking two key wickets, including Travis Head on Day 1 and Nathan Lyon on Day 2, while consistently hitting speeds over 140 km/h.

Meanwhile, India’s pace trio, led by Jasprit Bumrah, dominated Australia’s batting lineup. Bumrah’s clinical performance saw him claim a five-wicket haul, his 11th in Test cricket, as he removed Alex Carey with the first delivery of the day. Supported by Mohammed Siraj and Rana, India’s bowlers dismantled the Australian batting order, securing a significant first-innings lead by the end of the session.

The light-hearted exchange between Starc and Rana, coupled with the fierce competition on the field, exemplified the spirit of cricket—where intense rivalries are often interspersed with moments of mutual respect and camaraderie.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is one of the most popular IPL franchises. The franchise has been a part of the IPL since its inception, having competed in all 17 seasons of the lucrative competition. However, it is currently awaiting its first title. Before the IPL 2025 major auctions, which are expected to occur later this month, RCB retained three players: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal.

RCB will have three Right To Match (RTM) cards available in the mega auctions, and the franchise owners are hoping to bring back as many players as possible. The squad has had a great 2024 season and wants to convert their maiden IPL title with a significant team restructuring from the Mega Auction, as they have the potential to acquire top players from the under-the-hammer roster. Here are the five top-player recommendations for the side to target in the forthcoming 2025 IPL Mega Auction. 

KL Rahul

KL Rahul will be one of the targets of the loyal fanbase-backed squad in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction for apparent reasons. Rahul had a fantastic IPL 2016 with RCB. However, he missed the 2017 season due to injuries and was released before the 2018 Mega Auction. He later played for the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) and Lucknow Super Giants, but he could return to his home franchise, which has only kept three players, including a colossal purchasing purse.

Rahul has always been liked by the RCB faithful, partly because he is from Bengaluru, and the team is in dire need of a reliable wicketkeeper batter. Fans should anticipate that RCB will bid quite expensively for Rahul in the blockbuster auction. In the 2024 edition, he has made a commendable 520 runs in 14 matches with four half-centuries.

Mitchell Starc

RCB has historically struggled with a reliable bowling attack, which has been overlooked by their dynamic batting lineup, and Mitchell Starc can help address that gap. Starc's ability to perform in high-pressure circumstances and his previous stint with RCB in 2015 suggest he might be the missing piece in RCB's quest for their first IPL victory. His expertise and talent in T20 cricket make him an excellent choice to command their bowling unit.

In IPL 2024, as the most expensive player in the tournament ever, Starc demonstrated his brilliance by collecting crucial wickets and maintaining an exceptional economy rate during playoffs, further cementing his worth to a club needing bowling consistency. In his triumphant 2024 campaign with the Kolkata Knight Riders, he has taken 17 wickets in 14 matches. 

Will Jacks

Will Jacks, another major player for RCB in the 2024 season, had a massive influence after replacing Maxwell in the playing XI. Jack's ability to dominate pacers and spinners and his helpful spin bowling may urge RCB to utilise their RTM to keep him. With his swashbuckling style, he can restore the team's batting glory days, as they have the opportunity to win their first title through a restructure in the upcoming Mega Auction.

In eight matches, the 25-year-old English all-rounder scored 230 runs at a fantastic 175.57 strike rate, including a spectacular 41-ball century against the Gujarat Titans.

Also Read: IPL 2025: 5 players Mumbai Indians should target for in the upcoming IPL Mega Auction

Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj, who has been at RCB since 2018, was also included on the list of players revealed ahead of the mega auction. Siraj grabbed 15 wickets in 14 IPL 2024 matches while maintaining a solid economy rate of 9.19 economy. But as they say, every player has a rough patch in their sporting stint; Siraj will be desperate to come back with a bang through the fierce and intense 2025 IPL.

He is well-known for his ability to take wickets with the new ball, but his recent improvements at death bowling make him an invaluable asset. RCB may use their RTM option to bring him back, as they need a reliable Indian pacer who can spearhead the team's bowling attack and align with its goals by being aware of the Indian conditions. 

Rachin Ravindran

Rachin Ravindra, the all-rounder from New Zealand, is one of cricket's hottest prospects, making him a priority target for several prominent teams in the forthcoming IPL 2025 big auction. He had a terrific time with CSK throughout the 2024 IPL season, but now that they have opted not to put him on the retention list, RCB might consider him a top-order alternative to Virat Kohli.

Ravindra has the talent and skill to adjust to varied circumstances with the bat and ball, which should serve him well regardless of where he ends up in the next edition. Though he had a mediocre debut IPL sit-in with the Chennai Super Kings by scoring just 222 runs in ten games, his awareness of the Indian conditions would act as the major USP for the team to acquire his services. 

Australian seamer Mitchell Starc marked another milestone in his illustrious career, achieving 100 ODI wickets on home soil during a fiery spell against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday. The experienced pacer rattled the Pakistan lineup with a remarkable display of pace and control, securing his place among Australian greats. Meanwhile, Starc also shared his disappointment regarding a lack of communication from his IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who released him ahead of the 2025 season despite his contributions to their 2024 title win.

Starc’s spell wreaks havoc against Pakistan

In the first ODI against Pakistan, Starc delivered a spectacular new-ball performance that immediately placed Pakistan under pressure. His pace and precision paid dividends as he dismissed openers Saim Ayyub and Abdullah Shafique in quick succession. Starc’s first victim, debutant Ayyub, fell after getting an inside edge back onto his stumps in Starc’s second over. Not stopping there, he removed Shafique shortly after, as the batter inadvertently edged the ball to wicketkeeper Josh Inglis while attempting to leave the delivery. Starc later shattered the stumps of Shaheen Afridi, finishing his spell with figures of 3/33 in ten overs.

This outstanding performance helped Starc reach the coveted milestone of 100 ODI wickets in Australia, making him only the sixth Australian bowler to achieve this feat. He joined the elite company of legends Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Craig McDermott, and Steve Waugh. With Pakistan struggling to maintain momentum, Starc’s impressive spell left them floundering after losing both openers at 24 runs, putting Australia in a strong position early in the game.

Starc gets the ball rolling! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/CYXcVECkj1

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 4, 2024

See Also: BCCI mulling to take strict action against Gautam Gambhir following an annihilating series whitewash

KKR exit leave Starc disappointed despite stellar IPL season

Despite his success on the international front, Starc’s IPL career encountered a setback after KKR decided not to retain him for the 2025 season. The seamer expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the KKR management, as he was not informed of his release. The IPL retention policy now allows franchises to retain up to six players, leading KKR to secure the services of Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Varun Chakravarthy. Starc and winning captain Shreyas Iyer were among those released, a decision that surprised fans given Starc’s pivotal role in KKR’s 2024 title win.

Reflecting on the abrupt decision, Starc stated, “I still haven’t heard from them. It is what it is, that’s franchise cricket.” Despite the release, his contributions were memorable: acquired for a record INR 24.75 crore, Starc played a crucial role in KKR’s championship run, claiming 17 vital wickets, including match-winning performances in the playoffs and final against Sunrisers Hyderabad. KKR’s CEO Venky Mysore acknowledged the challenge of retention decisions following a title win, noting the difficulty of maintaining a champion squad under the new guidelines.

The world of cricket is never short of drama and surprises. In the latest twist, Australia’s star fast bowler, Mitchell Starc, has opened up about his exclusion from the Super 8 fixture against Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup 2024. Starc’s benching to make way for Ashton Agar was a controversial decision that sparked widespread debate among fans and experts alike.

Exclusion from the match against Afghanistan

The decision to bench Starc in the crucial Super 8 match against Afghanistan was surprising. The team management opted to bring in left-arm spinner Ashton Agar, hoping his spin would be more effective given the conditions.

See Also: BCCI overlooks Kohli, consults Hardik Pandya for Gambhir’s new role: Report

Ashton Agar’s performance in the match was commendable. He bowled economically, giving away just 17 runs in his four overs and successfully containing the Afghan batters during the middle overs. Despite his efforts, Australia failed to capitalize and ended up losing the match by 21 runs.

Australia’s exit

Australia’s early departure from the T20 World Cup were disappointing for fans and the team alike. Several factors contributed to this outcome, including strategic decisions, player performances, and perhaps a bit of bad luck. Analyzing the statistical performance of the team provides insight into what went wrong.

Mitchell Starc’s perspective

In a candid discussion on the WillowTalk podcast, Starc shared his thoughts on being left out of the playing XI. He explained that the decision was based on the pitch conditions and the effectiveness of spin bowling in previous matches at the venue.

“They saw previous games on that ground with spin playing a part and obviously Ash and the left-armer enticing them to make a change,” Starc said on the WillowTalk podcast.

Criticism of Pre-tournament seedings

Starc also voiced his criticism regarding the pre-tournament seedings. He argued that Australia’s position did not reflect their capabilities and affected their group stage matchups. Analyzing the seeding process and its impact on the tournament’s outcomes sheds light on potential areas for improvement.

Another point of contention was the scheduling of the matches. Australia’s schedule, which included late-night arrivals and early games, was far from ideal. These logistical issues likely impacted the players’ performance and preparation.

“We finished ahead of England and end up where we were pre-seeded as the second side. All of a sudden, you’re in a different group. We had the two night games and the third was a day game, so it wasn’t the best preparation. We had a delayed flight out of St Vincent, a 90-minute drive from the airport to the hotel in St Lucia, our players got in late by night and then a 10 o’clock toss,” he added.

Starc’s tournament performance

Despite the controversies, Starc’s performance in the tournament was a mix of highs and lows. He took five wickets in as many games, but his economy rate and average were not up to his usual standards.