Get Instant Loan up to ₹10 Lakh!
Sam Konstas's fearless approach against world No 1 Jasprit Bumrah so early in his international career took everyone by surprise on the opening day of the fourth Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday.
In just the third over of the Australian innings, after Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat first, Konstas faced Bumrah and confidently scored his first international runs with a double off Bumrah. It did not stop there.
Three balls later, Konstas reversed his stance against a good-length delivery off Bumrah and tried to hit the bowler over the slip cordon but missed. The audacity of the 19-year-old trying to reverse scoop the world's best bowler caught everyone off guard, including the commentators, who were first taken by surprise and then burst into laughter.
"What about that? That's got the crowd going," said Ravi Shastri on air. Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who was also on commentary duty, said, “I have got to say, they were engaged before, and they are now.”
Even Bumrah had a wry smile on his face, while Konstas' opening partner, Usman Khawaja, smiled from the non-striker's end. However, the debutant backed his instincts as he rattled Bumrah with 16 runs off the latter's fourth over, which included a couple of ramp shots.
During his stay at the crease, Konstas scored 60 off 65 balls, including six fours and two sixes, both coming off Bumrah. In fact, it was the first time Bumrah conceded a six in Test cricket in nearly four years.
However, Ravindra Jadeja put an end to Konstas' entertaining innings by trapping him leg before in the 20th over. Meanwhile, Konstas engaged in a heated argument with Virat Kohli after the latter deliberately shoulder-bumped the Australian youngster.
Notably, Kohli's shoulder collision with Konstas is against the ICC rulebook, and if proven guilty, the former Indian captain may face a one-match suspension.
Catch all theBusiness News, Sports News,Breaking NewsEvents andLatest News Updates on Live Mint. Download TheMint News App to get Daily Market Updates