Australia T20 captain Marsh, cleared to play for Lucknow Super Giants after a summer wrecked by back problems, looked refreshed and hungry for runs as he gave Delhi Capitals new boy Starc a rare old pounding en route to a thumping 72 off 36 balls.
But, ultimately, the two Test colleagues were left staggered, like the rest of the full-house in Visakhapatnam, to witness one of the great match-winning IPL innings conjured up by Delhi's impact batter Ashutosh Sharma, who took his side to the most unlikely of one-wicket wins with a last-over straight six.
With 62 needed off 30 and only four wickets standing as they chased Lucknow's 8-209, Ashutosh, who hasn't even won international honours yet because of India's batting riches, played an amazing hand to drag them to victory, depositing six sixes into the crowd on his way to an unbeaten 66 off 31 balls.
The only problem was how to get him on strike for the final over, bowled by spinner Shahbaz Ahmed, but once the No.11 Mohit Sharma had scrambled one, Ashutosh was coolness personified as he crunched the winning six straight with three balls remaining.
It sparked wild scenes of delight, including from Starc, who was playing his first match since being transferred from Kolkata Knight Riders, who he'd helped win last year's event.
Starc, who had admitted to being surprised and disappointed to be let go by KKR, had an eventful day with his new colleagues.
First up, Marsh went after him with relish, smacking the first ball he faced, a 144.7km effort, into the crowd at midwicket. In his next over, he then clouted Starc for four, six and four in successive balls before the left-armer was doubtless relieved to be taken out of the firing line.
When he returned later, Starc found the right length as he ended up taking two wickets in his last over and finished with 3-42, a good recovery after his early mauling.
Marsh, who's not fit enough still for bowling duties and is in the side as a specialist batter, must have delighted his Lucknow coach Justin Langer as he went on to reach his 50 off 21 balls.
He hit six sixes and as many fours in his pulverising knock, the giant scoreboard even flashing up "To Planet Marsh!" and "Marsh Mayhem!" after one maximum sailed out the ground.
Clearly enjoying every minute, Marsh, who could yet prove a bargain as a $635,000 capture for Lucknow, grinned on TV after his knock: "Life's good mate ... no bowling!"
But life's not so good at the minute for Jake Fraser-McGurk, last year's Delhi sensation who's been struggling for form and confidence, and sidelined by Australia's selectors.Â
As the home side began their chase, the young Aussie holed out for one off the second ball he faced, skying an attempted monster hit off Shardul Thakur.
