NEW DELHI: Australian opener Sam Konstas made a dazzling debut against India in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Thursday.
Konstas smashed a fifty off just 52 balls and at 19 years and 85 days, became the second youngest Aussie to score a half-century for Australia in Test cricket.
Konstas, who has made his name on the Australian circuit for his swashbuckling strokeplay, tried to hit an audacious reverse scoop off just Bumrah‘s second over, but missed.
But that didn’t deter the teenager to go for the ramp shot again and he got a six over third man and a four to fine leg – all off Bumrah.
7Cricket shared a clip of Konstas talking about his dream debut at the majestic MCG, his shots against Bumrah and his confrontation with Virat Kohli.
On his 60-run knock, Konstas said, “I think it was a bit of a blur, but a dream come true, look at the turnout, full stadium, the boys have been very welcoming Pat Cummins, it was like home. Cummins told me to be fearless.”
Konstas had said before the match he had a plan to combat Bumrah and, as he got his eye in, he incredibly reverse ramped the India pace spearhead for two fours and a six in one over, bringing the crowd alive.
On his ramp shots against Bumrah, Konstas said, “It wasn’t the plan yesterday, I was going to play good cricket shots and Bumrah is obviously a world class bowler and I just tried to put pressure on him, trying to change his tactics was the key thing.”
A carefree Konstas was out before lunch for a whirlwind 60 off 65 balls in a debut to remember.
On his confrontation with Virat Kohli, his ‘favourite player in the world’, Konstas said, “I think the emotions got to both of us, I didn’t quite realize, I was doing my gloves and so charged, it happens in cricket.”
The teenager was undeterred by the run-in with Kohli and slammed 18 off the next Bumrah over, including another six.