T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit Sharma takes Mitchell Starc for 29 runs as India get off to a flying start versus Australia

Rohit Sharma got India off to a blazing start after Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to field first in a crucial Super Eight clash at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium on Monday, June 24.

India lost the wicket of Virat Kohli in the second over as Josh Hazlewood dismissed the Delhi batter for a five-ball duck. However, this did not deter the Indian captain's spirit as he unleashed his fury on Mitchell Starc in the third over.

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The first couple of deliveries saw Rohit hitting the experienced pacer for sixes over deep extra cover. He followed it up with a hoick over mid-on for a boundary. The fourth ball saw Rohit hitting the biggest six of the over, as he deposited a length ball over deep mid-wicket for a 96-metre maximum. Starc finally went for a yorker and managed to bowl a dot off the fifth ball before following up with a wide outside off. The last ball was a full toss, which the Mumbai batter tried to swing across the line but only managed a top edge that went over the third man for half a dozen more.

A whopping 29 runs came off the over as India raced to 35/1 at the end of the third. It turned out to be the most expensive over bowled by Starc in a T20I, beating the 21 he conceded in the 2021 T20 World Cup final against New Zealand in Dubai.

Rohit Sharma brings up half-century in just 19 balls

Rohit as not content after smashing Starc all around the park as he attacked Pat Cummins in the fifth over and amassed 15 runs. He hit one six and two fours during the over and brought up his half-century off just 19 balls. India skipper hit the fastest fifty of T20 World Cup 2024.

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India also got to the 50-run mark in the fifth over, having lost the wicket of Kohli. Rishabh Pant walked in to bat at No. 3 and he would want to give his captain good support as the inaugural champions look to post a big score on the board.