'Baby Over…,' Harbhajan Pokes Fun At Mitchell Starc's 10-Ball Over To AFG In World Cup 2023

Mitchell Starc at the 2023 World Cup (x.com)

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh poked fun at Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc after the latter sent down four wides in a single Afghanistan over. Turning up for his side in their penultimate league fixture of the 2023 World Cup, Starc went wicketless with the new-ball and ended up conceding 70 runs from his nine overs at the Wankhede Stadium.

As it turned out, the Australian speedster conceded five wides throughout the innings, including four of a single over as he sent down a 10-ball over at one stage which eventually yielded 13 runs.

Harbhajan Singh trolls Mitchell Starc

Doing commentary at the time of Mitchell Starc’s 10-ball over against Afghanistan, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh jokingly claimed that the Australian quick should be tasked to deliver a “baby over” instead. The term itself is used to describe a shortened over where a bowler is unable to complete all six balls owing to various reasons. 

"He should be given a baby over by the Australian captain," Singh said.

Starc’s expensive spell, along with Adam Zampa’s rare off day emboldened Afghanistan to amass a competitive 291-5 upfront in their 50 overs. For Australia, a win at this stage of the competition will pretty much guarantee their berth in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc, who finished the previous two World Cup events (2015 and 2019) as its highest wicket-taker, has had a tournament to forget this time around in Indian conditions.

The 33-year-old has managed to claim just 10 wickets in his eight fixtures for Australia and has leaked runs at more than 6.50 an over. The cricketer also holds the worst bowling average (43.90) among all mainstream bowlers of the competition.

---

ALSO READ

[Watch] Mitchell Starc Gives 'Death Stare' To Shahidi After Castling Him With A Lethal Yorker

---