Sam Konstas’ nonchalance and fearlessness have impressed the cricketing circuit, with the youngster admitting that he got under India’s nerves during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Konstas, who ramped Jasprit Bumrah for a six early on in his Test debut at the MCG was at the centre of the storm after he was shoulder-barged by Virat Kohli in the same innings. The former India skipper was penalised for his actions even as 19-year-old Konstas smacked 60 in 65 deliveries.
The opener would find himself in the middle of several news headlines in the next ten days, be it for his involvement with the crowd or his chatter with Yashasvi Jaiswal while the latter was batting. Konstas also had a run-in with Jasprit Bumrah at the non-striker’s end in the last over of the first day of the SCG Test, leading to the fired-up India skipper picking up a wicket two balls later.
Up against India’s 185 in the first innings, Konstas’ opening partner Usman Khawaja took his time to face Bumrah’s delivery, seemingly to ensure it was the last over of the day. Bumrah had to pull out of his delivery stride and did not take kindly to the incident. Konstas, on the other end, had a few words to say to Bumrah as well, which led to a fiery exchange between the two.
Two balls later, Bumrah dismissed Khawaja with the former charging towards Konstas and giving him an icy stare. He was soon surrounded by the animated India fielders, who had gathered around him to celebrate the wicket.
Speaking on Triple Mabout the incident, Konstas agreed that it was partly his fault that Khawaja had been dismissed. “Oh, I didn’t get too fazed [on the exchange with Bumrah]. Unfortunately, Uzi [Khawaja] got out. He was trying to buy some time. It was probably my fault, but it happens. It’s cricket.”
Konstas also did not hesitate to credit Bumrah for the wicket: “Credit to Bumrah, he got the wicket, but a great performance from the team [the series win].”
After the particular incident, the Australian head coach called out the” intimidating” behaviour of the Indian team but his Indian counterpart Gautam Gambhir replied by saying they should not be “that soft”. “It’s a tough sport played by tough men,” he quipped.
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