Call it youthful exuberance or modern-day batting, Australian debutant Sam Konstus has taken a complete T20 turn on his Test debut against Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah on Boxing Day.
The 19-year-old, after missing the ramp shot twice early in his innings, struck three times in one over against Jasprit Bumrah. Konstas hit Bumrah for two fours and a six, leaving commentators Mark Waugh, Adam Gilhurst and Ravi Shastri in disbelief.
It’s as fun as it gets!
Debutant Sam Konstas with a wild introduction to Test cricket.#AUSvINDhttps://t.co/1YTMEnPajw
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2024
“I can’t believe it,” Mark Wall said on air.
“He’s gone all baseball.
“He said he had a plan against Jasprit Bumrah, but didn’t reveal it. It could be his way of getting rid of Bumrah,” he said.
“He has done a good job of unsettling Bumrah and it has worked for Konstas so far,” said the former India coach.
19-year-old Konstas will become the youngest player to open the batting for Australia in Tests.
A little courage!
Smiles everywhere as 19-year-old Sam Konstas tries to ram Jasprit Bumrah early on debut 👀#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/9I9urUnmuq
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 25, 2024
After surviving Jasprit Bumrah’s first-over probing, debutant Konstas tried to reverse the ramp Bumrah in the slips cordon. He missed twice, prompting a surprised reaction from the Melbourne crowd, his opening partner Usman Khawaja and even world No.1 ranked bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
However, he improved in the seventh over.
On the first ball of the over, Bumrah went straight and Konstas crossed the crease and hit it straight over the head of wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
What are we seeing!
Sam Konstas beat Jasprit Bumrah for 6 runs#AUSvIND | #PlayOfTheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/ZuNdtCncLO
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2024
Next ball he hits a six over the reverse slip cordon.
A few dots later, he did it again, this time he reversed it towards deep third man.
Earlier, presenting the baggy green to Konstas, former Test captain Mark Taylor said that the young player’s first challenge as an international cricketer would be to protect star pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
And Konstas did it with some style.
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