Fact Check: Did Mitchell Starc break Shoaib Akhtar's record of fastest ball in history of cricket to Rohit Sharma?

Speed gun showed that Mitchell Starc bowled a delivery of 176.6 kmph. (Photo: X)

For years, cricket fans have wondered if Mitchell Starc will break Shoaib Akhtar’s record for the fastest ball ever in history international cricket (161.3 kph - 100.23 mph) which he bowled to England’s Nick Knight in the 2003 World Cup. On October 19, 2025, at one point is looked like Starc broke it by more than 15 kph which was something no one could have imagined. The incident happened during the first ODI between Australia and India.

With the first ball of the three-match series, Starc pitched a short-of-length ball aimed at Rohit Sharma’s body. The Indian skipper tapped it down the ground for a quick run to get off the mark. The on-screen speed gun showed a speed that was hard to believe at all 176.5 kph (109 mph) and right away fans were puzzled and started questioning the speed gun which marked the delivery. Soon, some broadcasters cleared that the actual speed was 140.8 kph (just over 87 mph).

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Mitchell Starc with a casual 176.5 kph delivery to start the ODI series. This is why you retire from T20s  pic.twitter.com/BMaNyeV4Nd

— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) October 19, 2025

Anyone with even a little knowledge of cricket would instantly understand that a ball at 176 kph is almost unplayable and no batter, not even Rohit Sharma, could have played it that easy which the ex-India skipper did. Rohit looked calm and unbothered which was another prove that the speed gun was wrong.

Coming to the match result, the comeback party of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma was spoiled by the Aussies as they defeated the Men in Blue by 7-wickets in the rain-affected 1st ODI of the 3-match series. Put to bat first, India could only manage a total of 136 for 9 after the match was revised to 26 overs for a each side courtesy. The hosts chased down the DLS target of 131 with ease in just 21.1 overs.