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Sam Konstas lived up to the hype and made quite an entry to Test cricket, blasting a fearless fifty to the delight of capacity crowd at the MCG.
Sam Konstas made a blockbuster start to his Test career. (AP Photo)
Sam Konstas announced his arrival in style as he peeled off a maiden half-century against India on Test debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. The 19-year-old debutant justified the hype by proving why he’s been called ‘fearless’ when he dared to reverse-scoop Jasprit Bumrah early on in the Boxing Day Test. It wasn’t a successful attempt, but Konstas wasn’t done. He made another attempt later on and this time nailed the shot as the ball sailed over the boundary. It was the first time that Bumrah, arguably the world’s best fast bowler at the moment, was belted for a six in a Test since 2021.
Let that sink in.
And this was just one of the highlights from Konstas entertaining stay during which he knocked off 60 runs off 65 deliveries. He launched Bumrah for another six later on, this time over long-on. There was an over in which the young opener creamed Bumrah for 18 runs.
In all, Konstas collected four fours and two sixes off Bumrah to set the tone.
Konstas had well and truly rattled India. Why else would someone like Virat Kohli would ‘shoulder nudge’ the 19-year-old? The debutant wasn’t impressed and made his disapproval known to the Indian batting superstar. The two exchanged a few words before the on-field umpire and Usman Khawaja intervened.
A couple off an inside edge took Konstas to a memorable half-century. And he celebrated by pointing the badge on his shirt.
Oh, and Konstas also found time midway through his innings for a chitchat with the broadcasters. And declared his intention to keep attacking Bumrah, hoping for another battle with the Indian ace. Talk about guts.
Ravindra Jadeja put an end to his show by trapping him LBW.
But the rising star wasn’t done entertaining his new fans. He obliged a few of them by posing for selfies before minutes before the lunch break.
Thanks to his innings, Australia dominated the opening session of the contest as they scored 112/1 in 25 overs before the lunch break was taken.
- Location :
Melbourne (Australia)
