Australian fast bowler and ‘Man of the Match’ Mitchell Starc said that he created an early lead in the Indian batting lineup during the Powerplay, prompting a more aggressive attack from his bowling partners, which resulted in the hosts being bundled out for 117 in just 26 overs during the second ODI. Stacked on the run. Visakhapatnam on Sunday. India suffered their worst ODI defeat against Australia after Starc wiped out the entire top-order in the powerplay, with the visitors winning the match by 10 wickets to level the series 1-1. The left-arm pacer took four wickets in the powerplay overs and returned figures of 5/53 for the match as Australia leveled the series 1–1.

“Look, it was a complete bowling performance from us, the fact that we took powerplay wickets allowed us to attack even more throughout the innings,” said Starc, who took his ninth five-wicket haul in ODIs.

He said that the intent to attack while batting was also because India had been bowled out for a below average score. Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head hit fours and sixes during an unbeaten 121-run partnership as Australia completed the task in just 11 overs.

“Chasing a low target, we can be aggressive in the powerplay and Mitch (Marsh) and Trav (Travis Head) batted really well,” he said.

Starc compared the pitch at the YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium to Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, where Australia were bowled out for 188 on a fast wicket and India also lost wickets in clusters at the top before a five-wicket win were given

“It was similar to Mumbai in that there was no scoreboard pressure on the chasing team at any stage,” Starc said.

Starc exposed the Indian batsmen’s weaknesses against quality left-arm pace by swinging the ball. Suryakumar Yadav was sent back by the lanky pacer for his second consecutive first ball duck.

Asked if he has any plans for Surya, Starc said, “I can’t say whether I have thought that way (as to) who the batsman is at the other end. Left-handed or right-handed.” Since then, I am still trying to bowl fast and swing it and hit the stumps.”

Starc said that there is no specific plan against the Indian right-handed batsmen. “My plan hasn’t changed for 13 years, which is to bowl full at the stumps and try to swing it. I think my role has been to try and take wickets in the Powerplay and that means I bowl I do.” Fuller length than some of the others like Cameron Green or Pat (Cummins) or Josh (Hazlewood),” he said.

“Sometimes it means I’m more expensive but I’m looking for dismissals, so definitely haven’t had any new game plans in the last two games. It’s something I’ve done over a long period of time, aggressively. Ho and take wickets and our whole bowling attack did that today when we had six wickets in the powerplay.

“It’s a big step forward in ODI cricket when you have a powerhouse batting unit like India. If you can take wickets in the powerplay, it means you can control the game to some extent,” Starc said.

The Australian pacer said the team was focused on winning the series in Chennai and was not too obsessed with preparations for the ODI World Cup right now.

He said, “Some of us have come here to get used to the conditions. With an eye on the World Cup in particular conditions and against India, it is a by-product of the series.”

“It is still an (ongoing) series against India which we want to win. We go to Chennai for the decider which is exciting. Once we get past that game then more focus will be on the World Cup. (There are) parts of the series with the World Cup in your mind but mainly for this group to win an ODI in India is pretty special,” he concluded.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and was auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)