IND vs AUS: Mitchell Starc likely to return for Delhi Test

Star Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has said that there’s a good chance of him returning to the Test team for the second game against India in Delhi. However, he also said that there is no certainty as he is recovering from a broken finger. 

Starc missed Australia’s previous two Tests after injuring his left finger while fielding off his own bowling against South Africa in December. The left-arm seamer was missed by the Aussies during the first Test as they were hammered by India, who handed them a defeat by an innings and 132 runs.

The 33-year-old did not come to India with the team and stayed back in Sydney to recover. He arrived in India on February 11 (Saturday) and joined his teammates in Delhi on February 14 (Tuesday night), ahead of the second Test.

In Starc’s absence, captain Pat Cummins and Scott Boland were the only two seamers in the playing XI for the first Test. "I'd like to be a little further down the road," Starc said in Delhi on Wednesday. "Still a good chance so it'll come down to how it reacts by the end of (Wednesday), how the medical staff see it, how the selectors and Pat (Cummins) and Ronnie (coach Andrew McDonald) feel about it as well. I'll do everything I can to be fully available for selection, then it's a discussion for the rest of the group involved,” he added.

The New South Wales seamer further revealed that he planned to bowl normally but could not get the finger back to full strength. 

"I don't think (batting will be an issue) so it's going to be uncomfortable but I don't think it's an issue. I think I'll still field with a cap on (the finger), that's what I did in Melbourne (after he initially broke the finger)...I don't field myself in slip anyway,” Starc said.

I'm not sure we'll see conditions change too much from last week: Mitchell Starc

"Obviously a challenge of a week but we move onto the second Test and it presents a new challenge. I'm not sure we'll see conditions change too much from last week with how the guys have discussed it. I think judging on the last couple of days the wickets out the back are similar in many ways to what the centre is,” the 33-year-old further said.

Australia will look to win the second Test to stay alive in the series. Notably, they have won just one Test in India in the past 18 years. On the other hand, India will look to continue their winning momentum and get one step closer to sealing a spot in the final of the World Test Championship. India need to win three Tests in the series to confirm their qualification for the WTC final.