In the fourth Test match against India at the storied Melbourne Cricket Ground, young opener Sam Konstas made his debut for his country. He got off to an aggressive start and faced Jasprit Bumrah, who ultimately gave up 54 runs in his opening six-over period. The 19-year-old gave the home team a great start by scoring 60 runs off 65 deliveries.
The child, who also looks up to Virat Kohli, got into a verbal fight with him while he was at the crease. Usman Khawaja and on-field Michael Gough later stepped in and broke up the argument after they had a shoulder clash in the middle. After the game, Konstas spoke about the incident, saying that emotion took over and that occurrences like this can occur in cricket.
“I believe we were both affected by the feelings. I was doing my gloves and didn’t fully recognise it. A slight shoulder charge follows. But that’s cricket, so it happens,” Konstas told Seven Cricket.
Watch the video below:
The man of the moment
Sam Konstas chats with @copes9 about his first Test innings…
And everything else that happened during it as well #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/v7hhwMWgtB
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 26, 2024
Talking about his ideal debut, Sam Konstas
When Konstas was at the crease, he looked perfect against pacers. He batted well and may have even guaranteed his place in the starting lineup as the team captained by Pat Cummins looks for a long-term solution. The captain encouraged him to be bold in the middle, Konstas remarked, adding that the team was friendly.
“I believe it was a dream come true, but a bit of a blur.” Check out the stadium’s full attendance. However, Pat Cummins, the boys have been really friendly, and it feels like home,” Konstas remarked of his debut.
Cummins told me, “I believe it’s just being fearless.” In response to a question concerning Cummins’ advise, he replied, “We had our Christmas lunch yesterday, seeing the kids enjoy it, and yeah, you can tell it’s a really family-united group, so yeah, very shot.”