Mitchell Starc etched his name into the record books once again with a remarkable feat in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on December 6, 2024. The Australian pacer made history by dismissing Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for a golden duck off the very first ball of the pink-ball Test at the Adelaide Oval. This early breakthrough not only set the tone for the match but also saw Starc equal a unique record for the most dismissals off the first ball in Test cricket.
Starc, known for his pace and ability to make early breakthroughs, trapped Jaiswal LBW with a perfect delivery that caught the young Indian opener off guard. Jaiswal, who had been in fine form, was sent packing without facing a single scoring delivery, marking the first ball duck as one of the most dramatic dismissals in recent times.
This wicket was significant for more than one reason. By dismissing Jaiswal with the first ball, Starc joined former West Indies pacer Pedro Collins in equaling the record for the most first-ball wickets in Test cricket. Both bowlers have now achieved this feat three times. Starc had previously dismissed Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne (2016) and England's Rory Burns (2021) off the first ball of Tests, and with Jaiswal’s wicket, he further solidified his place in this rare group.
The feat of dismissing a batter off the first ball of a Test match is incredibly rare, with only 35 such instances in the history of the game. Starc's latest achievement ties him with Collins as the bowlers with the most first-ball dismissals, making it a truly special moment for the Australian pacer.
For India, Jaiswal's golden duck made him the seventh Indian opener in history to be dismissed off the first ball of a Test match. The ignominious list includes iconic players such as Sunil Gavaskar, who had been dismissed on the first ball a staggering three times in his career. Other notable Indian players on this list include Wasim Jaffer, Shiv Sunder Das, and KL Rahul, with Rahul being the most recent Indian opener to fall to the first ball in a Test match in 2017.
Here is a look at the bowlers who have taken the most first-ball wickets in Test cricket:
3 Times:
- Mitchell Starc (Australia)
- Pedro Collins (West Indies)
2 Times:
- Richard Hadlee (New Zealand)
- Geoff Arnold (England)
- Kapil Dev (India)
- Suranga Lakmal (Sri Lanka)
Jaiswal’s dismissal was not only a historic moment for Starc but also a reminder of the unpredictability of Test cricket. Despite Jaiswal's strong recent form, which had earned him a regular spot in the Indian top order, he was unable to overcome the challenge presented by Starc's accurate first delivery.
This early breakthrough gave Australia the upper hand, and it also highlighted the pressure on India’s top order, as they were now forced to rebuild their innings early in the match. As for Starc, his ability to strike on the first ball of a Test match further demonstrates his skill and mental sharpness, traits that make him one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in the modern era.
For Jaiswal, the golden duck was a moment he would want to forget, but it also serves as a reminder of the brutal nature of Test cricket, where even the most in-form players can be undone by a single delivery. His wicket, however, did not diminish the promise he holds for the future. Despite the early setback, Jaiswal remains one of India’s brightest young prospects.
This dramatic opening to the second Test in Adelaide sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable series between two of the biggest cricketing nations. With Mitchell Starc continuing to prove his prowess and India aiming to bounce back after Jaiswal’s early exit, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy continues to deliver thrilling moments for cricket fans worldwide.
