The first day of the second Test between India and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Adelaide saw Australia dominate, dismissing India for 180. Mitchell Starc’s impressive bowling figures of 6/48 were a highlight. However, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj caused an online stir with a delivery clocked at an astonishing speed, raising the question: Did he really bowl at 181 km/h? Siraj, bowling in the 25th over, delivered a short ball outside off stump that Marnus Labuschagne hit for four. The broadcast momentarily displayed the speed as 181.6 km/h, sparking excitement and disbelief on social media.
Unfortunately, the displayed speed was inaccurate due to a speed gun malfunction. The record for the fastest delivery in cricket still belongs to Shoaib Akhtar of Pakistan, who bowled 161.3 km/h during the 2003 ODI World Cup. While Siraj’s delivery wasn’t record-breaking, another incident in the same over might land him in trouble with the International Cricket Council (ICC). After Labuschagne moved away from the crease due to a crowd distraction, a frustrated Siraj threw the ball towards him. While the ball didn’t hit Labuschagne or the stumps, such actions violate ICC rules. Siraj ended Day 1 without taking any wickets. Incidentally, Siraj was appointed Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Telangana in October this year.
