Last Updated:
Sam Konstas came with a mindset to attack Jasprit Bumrah as he struck two sixes and four fours off the Indian fast bowler.
Jasprit Bumrah got his revenge when he clean bowled Sam Konstas in the 2nd innings. (AP Photo)
The Australian team and fans were delighted at the sight of their 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas launching an attack on India’s Jasprit Bumrah – widely acclaimed as the world’s best fast bowler currently – on the opening day of the first Test in Melbourne last week. If he had any nerves, Konstas did a terrific job of hiding them as he attempted conventional and reverse scoops against Bumrah, failing at first before nailing the shots.
Konstas, who struck two sixes and four fours off Bumrah, went on to hit 60 off 65. During his stay, the newbie had a heated altercation with India batting superstar Virat Kohli after the two bumped shoulders while crossing over.
The two exchanged a few words before Konstas senior teammate Usman Khawaja and the on-field umpire stepped in to deescalate the situation.
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has presented an argument that the reason Kohli clashed with Konstas was because of the manner in which the young Aussie opener treated Bumrah.
“Virat, such a senior player. Tough, aggressive cricketer on the field – will not take a backward step, never has through his whole career. When I think about my time being on the field, being a senior player when you see a youngster come in, I think Virat was getting frustrated with the lack of respect that Sam was showing the best bowler in the world in Bumrah. I think that’s what frustrated Virat,” Clarke said on Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.
Kohli was criticised by several former Australian players and the local media even branded him as a “clown”. However, Clarke feels that Kohli would have sorted out the issue with Konstas.
“I know Virat as well, he would have spoken to Sam after the game. Virat’s a great guy. So those two would have sorted it out. I don’t know (if) Virat would have said sorry, whatever it was. Virat is not a nasty person. So that would be fixed 100%,” Clarke said.
“I think it was Virat sticking up for his team and I know you can’t bump shoulder to shoulder, and he’s been fined for it. It was more, I reckon Virat was frustrated that ‘how dare you disrespect the best bowler in the world like that and think you can get away for it. So his mind was thinking he was sticking up for his team,” he added.
Clarke also praised Konstas and Khawaja for how they handled the incident.
“I think Sam handled it really well. I think the bump, he was doing his gloves – whatever was said words-wise – was nothing too big. The other one who handled it beautifully was Usman Khawaja, handled the situation well. I know he knows Virat very well. That was brilliant by Usman Khawaja and he deserves a lot of credit for that,” he said.
