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Sam Konstas looked to make his intentions clear as he smashed Jasprit Bumrah for a boundary off the first delivery to get things started in their innings.
Sam Konstas smashed a boundary off the first delivery of the innings. (Image: AP)
The Australian youngster, Sam Konstas showed no signs of fear when he was once again up against Jasprit Bumrah to open the batting for the first innings in Sydney. The 19-year-old showed his intent right from the first ball where he smashed a boundary off the Indian pace spearhead.
Konstas came down the track charging in and managed to squeeze in the shot towards the mid-wicket region to get the boundary to start things off for the hosts who are well and truly in front in the series finale.
The Indian team are far from their best form and has struggled for most of this series. It has gotten to the extent where the designated captain, Rohit Sharma has decided to opt out of the final Test to help the side get back to a winning combination.
Under Bumrah’s leadership in Perth, the Indian team were able to get the win in the first Test and showed positive signs despite the lack of Rohit’s presence. But for the remainder of the series, the performances did not meet expectations as India’s chances of making it to their third consecutive World Test Championship Final became harder.
The Australian bowling attack established their dominance as Scott Boland led the charge with a four-wicket haul to help bundle India out for just 185 runs. Rishabh Pant who was also under fire for his shot selection, was India’s highest run-scorer with a patient 40 off 98 deliveries.
As Bumrah continued his spell in the bowling innings, tensions were also on the rise between himself and the Aussie youngster with the two having a heated verbal exchange after the penultimate delivery of Day 1.
But the stand-in skipper had the last laugh as he struck in the final delivery to get rid of Usman Khawaja and end the day positively. But India will have to do a lot more to ensure they can get back in this contest and hopefully go all the way for a win to keep their hopes alive.
The Aussies will be expected to take the win considering their stellar form and they will want to end their decade-long wait for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as well and secure their spot in the WTC final.
- Location :
Sydney, Australia
