Mitchell Starc edges closer to Kapil Dev’s Test record but keeps focus ahead

New Delhi: Mitchell Starc is on the verge of matching India’s legendary cricketer Kapil Dev’s Test record, but the Australian pacer keeps his focus ahead. He needs just one more wicket to equal Kapil Dev’s record for the most wickets in Test cricket.

Starc has picked up 433 wickets in 105 Test matches, and is just one wicket away from drawing level with Kapil’s tally of 434. He is set to feature in Australia’s two-match Test series against Bangladesh in Darwin on August 13.

If Starc take seven wickets across the series, he would surpass South Africa great Dale Steyn in the list, who picked 439 wickets in his illustrious career. He has been Australia’s strike bowler across all formats for more than a decade, and the milestone is another reflection of Starc’s remarkable longevity.

“It means I’ve played a bit. It’s cool and very humbling to be spoken about with those guys. But that stuff doesn’t mean a whole lot while you’re still playing. You don’t get too far ahead,” Starc told Australian Associated Press when asked about closing in on Kapil’s landmark.

The Australian pacer has delivered remarkable performances throughout his career. He made his Test debut in 2011, and has been a nightmare for batters with his pace and swing. Only legendary Shane Warne (708 wickets), Glenn McGrath (563) and off-spinner Nathan Lyon (567) are ahead of Starc among Australian bowlers.

He is the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, with 46 wickets in just eight Tests, and heads into the Bangladesh series in outstanding form.

The king of inswing 👑

Only nine more sleeps until we see Mitch Starc donning the Test whites again: https://t.co/GmBt9QmGpZ pic.twitter.com/QqK4mzyu0q

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 4, 2026

‘You have to keep improving’

The Australian pacer believes that his longevity is largely down to his willingness to adapt throughout his career. The 36-year-old has been playing international cricket for almost 16 years.

“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. You’re also around that long because you’re able to develop and learn and improve,” Starc said.

The first test of the series between Australia and Bangladesh will begin on August 13 in Darwin.