Cricket fans went into overdrive this week after a speed gun reading during the first ODI between Australia and India appeared to show Mitchell Starc bowling at a staggering 176.5 km/h. For a moment, social media lit up with claims that the Aussie quick had shattered Shoaib Akhtar’s long-standing world record.
But as the dust settled, the buzz turned into disbelief — and eventually, laughter.
According to multiple reports, including Cricket Australia and several sports tech analysts, the reading was nothing more than a speed-gun glitch. In reality, Starc’s fastest delivery during the match clocked in around 145–150 km/h, which, while fiery, is far from Akhtar’s official 161.3 km/h missile recorded at the 2003 World Cup in Cape Town.
> “If Starc had actually bowled 176 km/h, the ball might have reached the keeper before it left his hand,” joked one commentator on X (formerly Twitter).
The brief chaos began when the live broadcast flashed “176.5 km/h” on the screen during the third over of Starc’s spell. Within seconds, screenshots flooded social media, sparking heated debates and nostalgic comparisons with Akhtar’s legendary pace.
However, broadcasters quickly corrected the reading, confirming it was an equipment malfunction rather than a genuine speed record.
Even Starc himself seemed amused when asked about it after the game, saying he’d “happily take it,” but joked that his body wouldn’t survive bowling at that pace.
The Record Still Stands
For now, Shoaib Akhtar’s 161.3 km/h thunderbolt — often referred to as “The Ball of Fire” — remains the fastest officially recorded delivery in cricket history. Despite several close contenders over the years, including Shaun Tait, Brett Lee, and now Starc, none have yet dethroned the Rawalpindi Express.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time speed-tracking technology has stirred controversy. In past tournaments, minor calibration issues have occasionally exaggerated readings, especially under extreme lighting or broadcast interference.
Still, the episode reminded fans why pace bowling continues to capture imagination — not just for the raw numbers, but for the thrill of watching a bowler push the limits of physics and fear.
As one fan wrote, “Glitches come and go, but Shoaib Akhtar’s roar still echoes louder than any speed gun.”
