In the world of big, bad fast bowlers, being called "soft" is about as stinging an insult as they come. And Mitchell Starc has left little doubt about his reaction to being labelled with the tag by the great Shane Warne during Australia's second Test against India in Brisbane.

The leg-spin legend and commentator criticised what he deemed Starc's lack of presence in his follow-through at the Gabba, after which the left-arm quick was ushered out of the Test team for the 11th time in his still formative, stop-start career.

Hitting back: Mitchell Starc celebrates after uprooting Jacques Kallis's stumps during the BBL match at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night. Credit:Getty Images

However, there was no mistaking the body language of the 24-year-old when asked about Warne's remarks, with countenance revealing as much as comments ever could.

"I'm still waiting for his phone call. Apparently he called me," Starc said when asked about Warne in the wake of a standout performance for Sydney Sixers in their Big Bash League win over local rivals the Thunder.