Sam Konstas vs India: Brilliant debut for Aussie teenager as Virat Kohli takes on Jasprit Bumrah | Cricket News

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One thing is clear, already. Many ‘I was there’ accounts, television specials, and newspaper features will be made of Sam Konstas’ Test debut on Boxing Day in Melbourne. A lad of Greek origin with a pencil-thin mustache and bushy hair sticking out of his helmet rattled the Indians, looked at their bowlers, stood in front of Virat Kohli, and didn’t take a step back. He lap-scooped, reverse-lapped Bumrah, he turned back to hit Mohammad Siraj for a thrilling half-century off one ball.

Everyone knew how Konstas would bat on debut. He himself declared: See the ball, hit the ball. The question was whether he would walk that speech in front of nearly 90,000 spectators? After punching his opening partner Usman Khawaja’s gloves from the boundary to the pitch, he ran towards mid-off. He tapped in the middle of the pitch, chatting with the umpire, awaiting the entry of Khawaja, who chose to walk slowly. Another punch of the gloves, and Sam went to the other end – from where Jasprit Bumrah was about to bowl the first ball of the MCG Test. Konstas had said before the match that the world’s best bowler had plans for Bumrah.

Australia’s Sam Konstas batting during the first day’s match of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne. (AP)

This was not evident in the first over when Bumrah was shaping the ball slowly and teasing the outside edge. Four balls almost hit the corner of the bat. He couldn’t get the ball to the middle before a bunted single put pressure on the on side.

Konstas likes to look back at the bowler, whether there’s a look back or not. A cute joke from a 19-year-old boy who grew up watching cricket. Twice, Bumrah almost smiled as he looked around. Then came the moment everyone in the crowd had been waiting for.

Konstas moved his right foot towards the leg side, and flashed it towards the off again. The tour match at Canberra gave the Indians the cue that he gives for lap-scoops. He will miss a few attempts when the ball gets into the keeper’s hands. There was almost a nervous laugh around that stand the first time he did it. Soon, he charged out, but escaped again. KL Rahul will advance with a touch towards him from third slip. Konstas was walking his square-leg where he stopped, looked up at the sky, eyes wide open, almost taking in the sunlight and adjusting to it.

Australia’s Sam Konstas watches the ball during the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia. (AP)

Then came the seventh over of the day. Konstas scooped Bumrah’s first ball to the fine leg boundary. Bumrah bowls another fuller and just outside off; That six over third man was a reverse scoop. He charged another ball, but missed. The fifth ball was bowled over to third man for a boundary, and Rohit signaled to keep Rahul there as he ran over to retrieve the ball.

Now Indians are getting more into acting. Siraj with a word or two, watching as Kohli walks past the stumps, and once Konstas turns back to hit a boundary, Siraj almost runs down. The umpire immediately intervened and spoke to Konstas.

Kohli vs Konstas

Then in the 10th over came Konstas’ moment against Kohli. The over was over and the ball was in Kohli’s hands. He said, on the short leg at the other end, Konstas ran to the opposite end. Kohli cut a bit to his right and started walking towards the side of the pitch. Konstas also began to walk, cutting slightly to his right. The two stars were set to collide until one of them pulled out. Didn’t even do it. Bang. shoulder-barge.

Kohli stopped and returned. Konstas did the same. The words flew. Usman Khawaja entered the crime scene with a smile, putting his hand on Kohli’s shoulder. The umpire was also there.

Next ball, the first ball of Bumrah’s new over, Konstas backpedaled outside leg to hit a four over long off. The camera zoomed in on Kohli’s jaw.

Konstas forgot to target the Indians, one of his weaknesses that is well known in the Australian cricket circuit. incoming force. Not only did Scott Boland and others beat him in first-class cricket, Sean Abbott shook his stumps with that nip-backer just days before this Test. and hit him a few times on the pad.

That’s the effect an adventurous, dopamine-fueled teenager can have on opponents. Red smoke can creep in instead of being calm and calculating. The crowds were now fully into it as the most awaited Australian debut in recent times turned into one of the most exciting debuts by any cricketer in the world in recent memory.

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