Melbourne: Premier Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc stands on the verge of overtaking legendary Indian all rounder Kapil Dev in the list of highest wicket takers in Test cricket history. With the two match Test series against Bangladesh scheduled to begin on August thirteen, Starc requires just two more wickets to surpass the iconic Indian World Cup winning captain.
The left arm pacer currently boasts 433 wickets from 105 Test matches at an average of around 27. Kapil Dev finished his illustrious career with 434 wickets across 131 Tests. A single wicket in the upcoming Darwin Test will see Starc tie with the Indian legend, while two wickets will push him into eleventh spot overall, edging closer to the elite top ten wicket takers club.
Despite the impending milestone, statistical comparisons reveal that Kapil Dev maintains a distinct edge in crucial parameters. The former Indian captain recorded 23 five wicket hauls in his career, compared to 18 by Starc. Kapil Dev also bowled 1060 maiden overs in Test cricket, demonstrating remarkable consistency and control, whereas Starc currently has 622 maidens to his name.
Furthermore, Kapil Dev remains unmatched as a complete all rounder. Alongside his 434 wickets, he scored over 5,000 Test runs, including eight centuries. While Starc is a handy lower order batter, his overall primary contribution remains centered around his lethal pace bowling.
The upcoming series marks Bangladesh touring Australia for Test matches after twenty three years. The first Test will be played at the TIO Stadium in Darwin from August thirteen to seventeen, followed by the second Test in Mackay from August twenty two.
While Starc continues to evolve into one of the modern era bowling greats, surpassing Kapil Dev in raw wicket count will mark another feather in his cap, even as the Indian icon overall legacy as an all round pioneer remains firmly intact.