Mitchell Starc rued the chances Australia missed to let India off the hook on Day II of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

The left-arm pacer did praise India’s stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane for his fabulous knock, but claimed that the hosts could have got him out much earlier.

“Jinxy played a very good knock, absorbing some pressure and steadying the ship for them at a time when they were still behind our total. He took his chances, but we probably could’ve had him four or maybe five times before he reached his hundred,” Starc said at a virtual conference facilitated by Sony Pictures Sports Network.

Starc also took his 250th Test wicket during the day, but said personal milestones don’t matter much to him at present. “We’ve got more wickets to take, so it’s something I’ll probably reflect on once I’m done with cricket.”

Australia are still hopeful that David Warner would come good and come back to the XI for the third Test. “Davey’s doing everything possible,” head coach Justin Langer said.