‘4, 6, 4’: Sam Konstas misses ramp shot twice, then gets it right three times against Jasprit Bumrah in one over. Cricket News

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.

“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.

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.

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.

Why should you buy our membership?

You want to be the smartest in the room.

You want access to our award-winning journalism.

You don’t want to be confused and misinformed.

Choose your subscription package

Leave a Comment