Watch: In a high-voltage drama, India stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah stared down Sam Konstas after capping off the opening day of the Sydney Test with a last-ball wicket following a fiery exchange between the two owing to the Australia opener’s delaying tactics.
As the opening day of the Pink Test in Sydney was nearing an end, Usman Khawaja took his time to ensure the final ball of the third over of the innings was the day’s last. Bumrah had to pull out as he was about to start his run up, leaving him frustrated. Konstas, at the non-striker’s end, appeared to defend the tactical delay, getting involved in a fiery exchange with the fast bowler. Umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat had to intervene.
Bumrah, however, had the last laugh as Khawaja, batting on two, edged the last ball to the second slip, where KL Rahul took a sharp catch to give India an early breakthrough. The tourists erupted in celebration, with Bumrah giving Konstas an icy stare-down as the teenage batter was walking back to the dugout at the close of the day’s play. Konstas, 19, was also involved in a heated clash with Virat Kohli in Melbourne en route to his record 60 off 65 on debut.
Today, he started in a similar brisk fashion, giving Bumrah the charge off the very first ball of the innings to hit him for a four. He remained unbeaten on seven with Australia at 9-1.
Earlier, in the day, reports of India captain Rohit Sharma missing the Test came true when Bumrah walked out for the toss and opted to bat first. Rohit "opted to rest" for the match, according to Bumrah. India were bundled out for 185 in 72.2 overs, with Rishabh Pant (40) top-scoring. For Australia, Scott Boland broke the back of the visiting team’s batting order with 4-31 off his 20 overs.
Watch Bumrah give Konstas death stare
Fiery scenes in the final over at the SCG!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2025
How's that for a finish to Day One 👀#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/BAAjrFKvnQ
How about that drama to end Day 1! 🔥#JaspritBumrah has dismissed #UsmanKhawaja for the 6th time in this series 🐰#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 5th Test, Day 2 | SAT, 4th JAN, 5 AM | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/5mEiRv7OBa
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 3, 2025
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