WATCH: Sam Konstas reverse scoops Jasprit Bumrah for six at MCG, hits 32 in two overs(Photo Source: Daniel Pockett – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Sam Konstas made his international debut in the Boxing Day Test against India at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. He was in the scheme of things but Australia initially tried Nathan McSweeney in the playing XI, before shifting to Konstas, who looked highly impressive at the top of the order in the fourth Test. The 19-year-old looked set as soon as he moved in and showed no glimpses of battling pressure as he smashed Jasprit Bumrah for 14 runs in the seventh over of the game.
The youngster attempted playing reverse scoops against Bumrah on two different occasions but failed to time it. He received praise for daring to attempt such a shot against the premiere Indian pacer but after his second failed attempt, former cricketer Adam Gilchrist was reminded of the repercussions in the commentary. However, Konstas was in no mood to change his game plan and attempted more reverse scoops in the seventh over, resulting in a shift in the dynamic.
Watch the video below:
A bit of audacity!
Smiles everywhere as the 19-year-old Sam Konstas attempted to ramp Jasprit Bumrah very early in his debut 👀#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/9I9urUnmuq
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 25, 2024
Bumrah, who looked brilliant in the first couple of overs was struck in the same region as captain Rohit Sharma was late in placing a fielder in the third man region. At first, Konstas played a conventional scoop over keeper Rishabh Pant to hit a boundary and later, he played a couple of reverse scoops to pick up a six and a boundary in the second and final deliveries of the seventh over respectively.
On the other hand, India star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been consistent with the ball for India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, in the first session of Day 1 of the fourth Test, Australian debutant Sam Konstas’s boundaries conceded 18 runs from Bumrah’s over, making it the most runs scored in the pacer’s over in Test cricket.
Watch the video of Konstas hitting Bumrah for a six below:
WHAT ARE WE SEEING!
Sam Konstas just whipped Jasprit Bumrah for six 😱#AUSvIND | #PlayOfTheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/ZuNdtCncLO
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2024
Konstas looked in no mood to slow down as he smacked 18 runs against Bumrah in the 11th over. He hit a couple of boundaries and a six in the over as Rohit replaced Bumrah with Akash Deep after the over. Meanwhile, the pacer leaked 38 runs in his opening spell of six overs. It is extremely expensive, considering that the 31-year-old conceded only 54 runs and picked up eight wickets in his opening spells in the first three Tests.
Konstas meanwhile completed his half-century in 52 deliveries and senior batter Usman Khawaja also looked in good touch. Australia dominated the first session but the visitors will hope for a wicket or two before Lunch on Day 1 to get back in the contest.