NEW DELHI: Sam Konstas‘ dazzling Test debut on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test threw India off guard at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday.
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy still up for grabs with the series locked at 1-1, the Boxing Day Test may well decide which the series will go.
The teenager scored a stunning fifty on debut before Ravindra Jadeja trapped him leg before wicket.
More than his runs, it was Konstas‘ audacity to take on the world class Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball that had the experts singing his eulogy.
Talking to Channel Seven, India pace spearhead Bumrah told how he felt like bowling to Konstas.
Bumrah says in the video shared by 7Cricket, “I have experienced heaps of it. I have played T20 cricket a lot. More than 12 years of T20 cricket. Interesting batsman as well, and I always felt I was in the game, I never felt that I am far away from a wicket. Initially I felt I could get him out 6-7 times in the first two overs, but that’s how cricket goes, some days it pays off, it looks good, some days it doesn’t, then you guys might be criticizing the same person. So that’s how cricket is, I love different challenges and always looking forward to a new challenge.”
Konstas hit Bumrah for two sixes during his knock. This was the first time in three years that Bumrah was hit for a six in Test cricket.
On how playing in Australia brings the best out of him, Bumrah said, “Yes it always brings out the best in me. I played here in my first Test tour in 2018, I made my ODI debut in 2016 here as well. It brings out a lot of challenges as well because the wickets are very flat, the Kookaburra ball does a little bit with the new ball but then doesn’t do anything, so your accuracy is tested, the weather can sometimes test your fitness, you patience everything is tested. So once you come out on top, after that, it really leaves you in a very good space and you can become a better cricketer.”
Steve Smith, who struck 140 in Australia’s opening innings, was also hailed by Bumrah as a difficult batsman to bowl to.
“He (Smith) is always been a challenge. He is unorthodox, bit like me. He is not a conventional batter, someday he is shuffling someday not, so it brings out a new challenge. He scores in different area of the ground and so you have to be consistent and bowl good balls ball after ball.
“I always had good battles with him in all formats I played against him. Obviously, one of the greats of the game and in this format he is always difficult to bowl,” he said.
