Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been one of the most feared pacers in world cricket, especially against top-order batters. His battles with Indian legends like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul have defined modern ODI rivalries between the two nations.
Armed with raw pace, swing, and deadly yorkers, Starc has often been Australia’s go-to strike weapon in India and home series alike. From the 2015 World Cup semi-final to the 2023 bilateral series and World Cup final, Starc’s spells have consistently influenced the outcome of matches against India.
Also Read: Australia Cricket Schedule 2025
Mitchell Starc vs India – Overall ODI Record
| Matches | Overs | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 184.8 | 30 | 6/43 | 32.67 | 5.99 | 33.2 |
Total Wickets: 30
Best Figures: 6/43 (Melbourne, 2015)
Average: 32.67
Economy Rate: 5.99
Span: 2010 – 2025
Mitchell Starc Match-by-Match Bowling Record vs India
| Date | Venue | Overs | Wickets | Best | Economy | Key Dismissals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 2010 | Visakhapatnam | 8.5 | 0 | – | 5.77 | – |
| 05 Feb 2012 | Melbourne | 6 | 2 | 2/33 | 5.66 | Tendulkar, Gambhir |
| 12 Feb 2012 | Adelaide | 8 | 0 | – | 5.82 | – |
| 19 Feb 2012 | Brisbane | 8 | 1 | 1/36 | 5.48 | Jadeja |
| 18 Jan 2015 | Melbourne | 10 | 6 | 6/43 | 4.30 | Dhawan, Raina, Dhoni, Rohit |
| 26 Jan 2015 | Sydney | 4 | 1 | 1/11 | 2.75 | Dhawan |
| 26 Mar 2015 | Sydney | 8.5 | 2 | 2/28 | 3.17 | Rahane, Yadav |
| 09 Jun 2019 | London | 10 | 1 | 1/74 | 7.40 | Dhawan |
| 14 Jan 2020 | Mumbai | 10 | 3 | 3/56 | 5.60 | Rohit, Iyer, Thakur |
| 17 Jan 2020 | Rajkot | 10 | 0 | – | 7.80 | – |
| 19 Jan 2020 | Bengaluru | 9 | 0 | – | 7.33 | – |
| 27 Nov 2020 | Sydney | 9 | 1 | 1/65 | 7.22 | Shami |
| 29 Nov 2020 | Sydney | 9 | 0 | – | 9.11 | – |
| 17 Mar 2023 | Mumbai | 9.5 | 3 | 3/49 | 5.00 | Kohli, Gill, Suryakumar |
| 19 Mar 2023 | Vizag | 8 | 5 | 5/53 | 6.62 | Gill, Rohit, Rahul |
| 22 Mar 2023 | Chennai | 10 | 0 | – | 6.70 | – |
| 27 Sep 2023 | Rajkot | 7 | 1 | 1/53 | 7.57 | KL Rahul |
| 08 Oct 2023 | Chennai | 8 | 1 | 1/31 | 3.87 | Ishan Kishan |
| 19 Nov 2023 | Ahmedabad | 10 | 3 | 3/55 | 5.50 | Gill, Rahul, Shami |
Key Highlights
- Best Bowling: 6/43 vs India at MCG (Jan 2015) – a devastating spell that tore through India’s top and middle order.
- World Cup Impact: 2/28 in the 2015 World Cup semi-final helped Australia beat India on their way to the title.
- 2023 ODI Series: Claimed 8 wickets in two matches, including 5/53 at Vizag and 3/49 at Mumbai — reaffirming his dominance over Indian top-order batters.
- High-Value Wickets: Dismissed Virat Kohli 5 times and Rohit Sharma 4 times in ODIs.
- Economy: Despite high-scoring conditions, maintained a career economy of under 6.0 vs India across formats.
Performance Analysis
1. Early Career (2010–2014)
Starc’s early duels with India were learning phases. He bowled with pace but lacked control in subcontinent conditions. His breakthrough came in 2015, when he produced one of the greatest ODI spells — 6/43 at Melbourne — swinging the ball at 145+ km/h.
2. Dominant Peak (2015–2020)
The 2015 World Cup semi-final showcased Starc’s temperament under pressure. Over the next few years, he continued to dismantle India’s top order, particularly Shikhar Dhawan and Kohli, using his trademark inswingers.
In 2020, he struck crucial blows in Mumbai (3/56) and tested Indian batters with the new ball in Rajkot and Bengaluru.
3. Recent Years (2023–2025)
Starc’s performance in the 2023 ODI series was outstanding — a lethal spell at Vizag (5/53) where he dismissed Gill, Rohit, Rahul, and Suryakumar.
During the World Cup Final 2023 at Ahmedabad, he took 3/55, removing Gill, Rahul, and Shami, proving once again that he thrives in big matches.
His consistency and ability to take wickets with both the new and old ball keep him among the world’s elite ODI bowlers.
See Also:- India vs Australia 2025: Full Squad, Schedule
Statistical Summary
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Matches | 20 |
| Overs Bowled | 184.8 |
| Wickets | 30 |
| Best Bowling | 6/43 |
| Bowling Average | 32.67 |
| Economy Rate | 5.99 |
| Strike Rate | 33.2 |
| 5-Wicket Hauls | 2 |
| Top Victims | Kohli (5), Rohit (4), Gill (3) |
| Span | 2010 – 2025 |
Expert View
Cricket analysts rank Mitchell Starc among the most successful overseas bowlers in India due to his blend of pace, swing, and experience. His ability to take early wickets in powerplays and reverse-swing the old ball makes him a constant threat.
Even on flat Indian pitches, Starc’s control over seam movement and use of slower balls in death overs have limited run flow and produced breakthroughs under pressure.
He remains Australia’s match-winner in ODI cricket, especially in marquee encounters versus India.
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Conclusion
Mitchell Starc’s ODI record vs India (2010–2025) showcases his dominance, versatility, and hunger for big moments. With 30 wickets across 20 ODIs, including memorable spells like 6/43 at MCG and 5/53 at Vizag, Starc continues to be India’s toughest overseas nemesis.
His ability to strike early, break partnerships, and deliver under pressure cements his legacy as one of the most feared left-arm pacers of the modern ODI era.
