Australian teenager Sam Konstas quickly became a crowd favorite during the fourth Test against India, displaying an energetic and lively presence. Sam Konstas gave Indian paceman Jasprit Bumrah a huge dismissal after his dismissal in the second innings of the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Sam Konstas made his debut for Australia in the Boxing Day Test. Konstas was involved in an incident with Virat Kohli in a barge on the shoulder which sparked a huge controversy. The situation attracted the attention of the Australian media, the crowd and even former cricketers, who criticized the former Indian captain.
Watch: Sam Konstas backs Jasprit Bumrah on Day 5
Sam Konstas got the crowd involved on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test after a dominant knock of 60 where he bowled Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the first innings. Bumrah bowled Konstas in the second innings. Bumrah mimicked Konstas' earlier celebration right from the first innings.
After Bumrah's dismissal in India's second innings, Konstas gave back to the Indian team by waving to the MCG crowd. This celebration was in response to Bumrah's gesture after Konstas' wicket earlier in the match. Bumrah was dismissed for a duck and Konstas' celebration drew attention on social media.
Watch the incident right here:
Sam Konstas gives it back to Jasprit Bumrah. Poetic justice. BEAUTIFUL! 😍#INDvsAUS #INDvAUS #AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/E98vx3hS3I
– Tahmid (@SirTahmidAhmed) December 30, 2024
On Day 4, Bumrah bowled a crucial spell, removing Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey, leaving Australia in trouble. However, Pat Cummins (41), Nathan Lyon (41), Marnus Labuschagne (70) and Scott Boland (15) fought back strongly. On Day 5, Bumrah ended the Lyon innings for 41.
The fifth Test between India and Australia will begin on Friday, January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. This match will provide another opportunity for the ongoing rivalry between Bumrah and Konstas.
This man has no weakness – Sanjay Manjrekar
Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar praised Jasprit Bumrah and compared him to fast bowling legends like Curtly Ambrose and Malcolm Marshall. Speaking on Day 4 of the Test, Manjrekar noted how Bumrah consistently delivers crucial moments in formats like T20s, ODIs and Tests.
“There is no weakness this man has. It's almost like it's this genius that Indian cricket has brought as a gift and you make a wish and it comes true. And always Bumrah delivers, be it World Cup T20 cricket or 50 overs. World Cup, or is it a match like this, a crucial game on a page where many bowlers are struggling to get something out of it.
“He cleaned up Alex Carey like he was a No. 10, 11 batsman. He only had two balls left in that spell. You knew he wasn't going to bowl more than two balls and he bowled Alex Carey there too. And when you look at the average, I mean, this is unbelievable,” the 59-year-old added.
Read also: ICC World Test Championship Points Table, WTC Table After Fourth Test IND vs AUS 2024