Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc is approaching a significant career milestone, sitting just one wicket shy of Kapil Dev’s 434-mark and six behind Dale Steyn’s 439. Despite the prospect of entering the top ten all-time Test wicket-takers during the upcoming series against Bangladesh, the 36-year-old remains grounded. Starc, who has claimed 433 wickets across 105 matches, remarked that being mentioned alongside such legends is “cool and very humbling,” though he emphasized that he refuses to “get too far ahead” while his international career is still in progress.
The veteran left-arm quick enjoyed a dominant 2025, finishing as the leading wicket-taker in Tests with 55 scalps from 11 matches. His performance was highlighted by a standout display during Australia’s 4-1 Ashes victory, where he spearheaded the bowling attack in the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, finishing the series with 31 wickets at an average of 19.94. Since 2022, Starc has maintained exceptional form, securing 164 wickets in 41 Tests, with his 2025 bowling average of 17.32 marking a career-best for a single calendar year.
Reflecting on his longevity in the sport, Starc attributed his sustained success to a combination of continuous learning and a refined mental approach. “When you’re 36 and you’ve been around for 16 years, you’d like to think you’ve improved or got better at something,” he noted, citing the development of variations like the wobble seam and improved consistency as key factors. He also credited the team culture fostered by head coach Andrew McDonald and captain Pat Cummins, which prioritizes moving on quickly from both good and bad spells during a match.
Starc’s mindset has shifted toward maintaining clarity, noting that players are often neither as good nor as bad as external perceptions suggest. He admitted that he still experiences frustration when things do not go to plan, but he has learned to focus on what can be adjusted in real-time. This mental shift, combined with his physical durability, has allowed him to remain a vital asset for the Australian side well into his mid-thirties.
After a brief stint in the IPL with the Delhi Capitals, which was interrupted by injury, Starc is preparing for his return to the international stage. He is slated to lead the attack in the first Test against Bangladesh, which is scheduled to begin on August 13 in Darwin. As he eyes the records held by Kapil Dev and Dale Steyn, Starc remains focused on the immediate task at hand rather than the historical significance of his current wicket tally.
The 36-year old Starc enjoyed a stellar 2025 in Tests, bagging 55 wickets in 11 games – the most for a bowler in that calendar year, underlined by Player of the Series-worthy exploits in West Indies and the home Ashes se
He brought his best to the fore during Australia’s 4-1 Ashes triumph, leading the attack with aplomb in the absence of Josh Hazlewood and skipper Pat Cummins for at least a majority, if not the entire series, returning 3
Starc is also in the rare league of fast bowlers to have featured in 100 or more Tests and currently sits on 433 wickets from 105 matches – one shy of Kapil Dev’s mark of 434 and six adrift of Steyn’s 439.
Among Australians, only Shane Warne, Nathan Lyon and Glenn McGrath have bagged more Test wickets than Starc.
