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New Delhi: Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc is just one wicket away from reaching a major Test cricket milestone, with the left-arm quick set to equal Indian legend Kapil Dev's tally of 434 Test wickets during Australia's upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh.

While the achievement would place him alongside one of the game's greatest fast bowlers, Starc has played down the significance of personal milestones. Speaking ahead of the series, the 36-year-old said, "It means I've played a bit. It is 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." He added that such achievements would likely mean more once he has retired from international cricket.

Starc heads into the series with 433 wickets from 105 Test matches, leaving him just one scalp short of Kapil Dev's long-standing mark. If he picks up two wickets in the opening Test, he will also move past South African great Dale Steyn on the list of all-time leading Test wicket-takers, adding another milestone to his remarkable career.

The veteran pacer has been in outstanding form over the past year. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship with 46 wickets in just eight matches and was also Australia's top wicket-taker in the Ashes, playing a key role in the team's success. Known for his express pace, deadly inswing and ability to reverse the old ball, Starc continues to be one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in world cricket.

Reflecting on his longevity, Starc credited his success to constant improvement and a more composed approach to the game. He said experience has helped him become a smarter bowler, enabling him to adapt to different conditions while maintaining his pace and accuracy. Despite the milestones within reach, he insisted that helping Australia win matches remains far more important than individual records.

Australia will begin their new World Test Championship campaign against Bangladesh with high expectations, and Starc's chase for history is expected to be one of the major storylines of the series. Fans around the world will be watching closely as he looks to draw level with Kapil Dev before potentially moving ahead of another fast-bowling legend, Dale Steyn.

If Starc reaches the landmark, it will further strengthen his legacy as one of Australia's greatest fast bowlers and add another remarkable chapter to an already illustrious Test career.