MCG Test: Sam Konstas 1, Jasprit Bumrah 1

Sam Konstas faced the harsh reality of Test cricket in the second innings of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. After a blockbuster debut in the first innings, the young right-hander was knocked over for just 8 off 18 in the second essay, courtesy of another Jasprit Bumrah masterclass.

In the first innings, Konstas rattled Bumrah and Co. with some stunning strokeplay, hitting ramps, reverse scoops, pulls, and powerful drives through the cover region. The 19-year-old even took the attack to arguably the best bowler of the generation, Bumrah. 

Konstas hit him for 14 runs in an over and followed it up with another 18-run over - two of Bumrah’s three most expensive overs in Test cricket. Konstas eventually finished with a score of 60 off 65, and thanks to him putting Indian bowlers under early pressure, Australia managed to amass 474 in the first innings.

Konstas became a national hero in the space of one session, giving autographs and taking selfies after his knock. He was also supercharged in India’s first innings. Konstas was constantly seen playing with the crowd and exuberantly celebrating whenever India lost a wicket.

When Konstas walked out to bat in the first session of day four after Australia managed to take a first-innings lead of 105, Indian captain Rohit Sharma straightaway kept a fine third man and fine leg, cutting out his scoops over short third man and short fine leg. 

Bumrah knew he had a point to prove against a young debutant and the ace paceman would never allow him to dictate terms in consecutive innings. The right-arm seamer made Konstas look clueless with those inswingers and outswingers and eventually knocked over his middle stump with a nip-backer.

In his short career so far, Konstas has struggled against deliveries coming in, and Bumrah again exposed that weakness. The batter was caught at the crease as the ball sneaked through that little gap between the bat and pad. Bumrah then took off for a celebration, even signalling to the crowd - ‘How about that? Let me hear your voice now?’

MCG Test: Sam Konstas 1, Jasprit Bumrah 1