Sam Konstas Rattled Jasprit Bumrah And Team India On His Debut: BGT 2024-25 | MCG Test

Day 1 of the Melbourne test in Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 is done as Australia looked slightly ahead with 311 for 6. Australia has batted well and aggressively with positive intent before Indian bowlers pulled things back in the end. But, the foundation of Australia’s today’s batting was laid by a young 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas. A youngster took on the best fast bowler currently in the world Jasprit Bumrah on Day One of the MCG test. He rattled the Indian bowling on his debut with his positive intent and unorthodox way of batting. Today, we will talk about Sam Konstas as he is the talk of the town at the moment.

BGT 2024-25: Sam Konstas rattled the Indian bowlers in the MCG Test

Before this test, there were a lot of question marks on Australia’s top-order batting. The selectors have given 3 games to Nathan McSweeney but he hasn’t made an impact in those games. On reputation, the selectors backed Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne and dropped Nathan McSweeney for the last two tests. They added Sam Konstas after his consistent performance in U-19, FC Cricket, and Big Bash. He has also scored a hundred in a practice match against India while playing for Prime Minister XI.

Sam Konstas came with a reputation as an aggressive player who plays with positive intent. He was seen as a perfect replacement for David Warner who retired earlier this year. A youngster responded well and lived up to the selectors’ expectations. He scored 60 runs off 65 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. His inning laid the foundation for the other batters to take their time at the crease.

Audacious Konstas destroyed Jasprit Bumrah and stunned India on his debut

Before the MCG test, Sam Konstas said he is ready to challenge himself against Jasprit Bumrah. It’s not easy for the batters nowadays to tackle Bumrah. As we have seen in BGT 2024-25, Bumrah has got the better of Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh and Nathan McSweeney.

Konstas took the strike in the first over. For the first 6-8 balls, the ball didn’t meet Konstas’ willow. And for the first 20 balls, there were a few plays and misses, maybe because of some nerves. He also played a few audacious ramp shots and tried charging down the track to Mohammad Siraj but couldn’t connect one.

After a while, he settled down and then there was no looking back. Sam Konstas rattled Jasprit Bumrah by playing ramp shots, and conventional scoop shots in the 7^th over. He hit 2 fours and a six in that over.

A 19-year-old continued to take on the Indian bowlers, hitting them left, right, and center. He played some unorthodox shots, charged down the track, made room, and hit boundaries regularly.

It was the first time after January 2021 that Jasprit Bumrah conceded a six in test cricket. Sam even hit a six to Bumrah’s start-over long-on. Also, the Indian ace pacer conceded 18 runs in the 11^th over, which is the most runs conceded by him in an over in test cricket; courtesy of Sam Konstas.

Late wickets allowed India to have a breather

After an assault from Konstas, Bumrah looked a bit unsettled, and so did the Indian team. Khawaja also played a fine inning of 57 runs before a soft dismissal ended his stay at the crease.

Marnus Labuschagne took his time and grind hard before making quick runs in the end. He scored 72 runs off 145 balls. Steve Smith looked settled on 68* but Australia lost 3 quick wickets in a span of 9 runs. Those late wickets helped India to get back in the game.

Steve Smith and Alex Carey steadied the ship and stitched 53 runs for the 6^th wicket. Carey played a quick little hand of 31 runs off 41 balls before Akash Deep took his wicket with the 2^nd new ball. Smith and Cummins is at the crease with Australia finishing the day with 311-6.

Conclusion

So this is the standing of the MCG test after day 1. Sam Konstas took charge and looked like a promising talent. He also had some words with Virat Kohli in between the overs when the Indian batting superstar shouldered him. Konstas dealt with the situation maturely and said ‘Whatever happened on the field stays on the field’ while talking to the broadcasters.

We have also seen Sam pumping the MCG crowd and after he got out, giving autographs and taking selfies with fans. He seems to be a character and a tough cookie to deal with. Still an early day for him. Let’s see how he does going forward in the international arena.

FAQs:-

(1) What happened after the Kohli-Konstas controversy?

Virat Kohli has been fined 20% of his match fees for this behavior and given one demerit point.

(2) How many batters have hit Jasprit Bumrah for a six in test cricket?

A total of 7 batters have hit Bumrah for a six in test cricket. The Indian pacer has conceded 9 sixes in tests till now, out of which Jos Buttler and Sam Konstas have hit 2 sixes each to him. Other batters to hit a six to Bumrah are AB de Villiers, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Nathan Lyon, and Cameron Green.