The opening day of the boxing Day Test between India and Australia saw a heated clash between Sam Konstas and Jasprit Bumrah. The young Australian batter made his Test longest format of the game, and delivered a massive performance as he scored a half century.
Sam Konstas was taken in the squad as Nathan McSweeney was dropped. Sam made sure to clarify his selection, as he left his mark on the scoreboard. Even though he got initially beaten by Bumrah, Konstas came back with strong shots against the in-form pacer.
The aggressive batting approach by Konstas saw Bumrah having a rare 18-run over for the first time in his Test career. After the match, Australian opener revealed that he had carefully practised scoop shots, and was determined to put pressure back on the Indian bowler.
“I think it probably will look silly if I did get out. But I’ve worked pretty hard on that shot, and I feel like it’s probably a safe shot for me really. But I think that’s the beauty about being young and maybe a bit naive. I’m just trying to put pressure back on the bowler in the best way I think is, and it was good to get a few runs today,” Konstas said as per ESPN Cricinfo.
“I think I was just getting used to the wicket, first time facing him, getting used to his action. Obviously, he beat my bat quite a few times, and [I] was lucky enough to get a few away. But it was a great contest,” he added.
Konstas went on to call Bumrah as a legend of the game, and accepted that the Indian pacer has changed the momentum with his spectacular bowling on Day 1.
“He’s a legend of the game, obviously, so I was trying to put a bit of pressure on him, and it paid off today. But obviously, he took three wickets and he changed the momentum. But I think I’m always challenging myself, trying to bring the best out of myself, so just getting that contest with him and trying to take his lines away,” Konstas concluded.
Though Konstas stood strong with his performance, he also became the second-youngest player in history of Australian Test cricket to have scored a half-century. Bumrah was the pick of Indian bowlers as he got the prized wicket of Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh.
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