NEWS
Follow UsSam Konstas received his maiden Australia call-up earlier this week, replacing fellow opener Nathan McSweeney for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Test series against India. The 19-year-old is all set to debut in Melbourne, opening with Usman Khawaja. Should he be handed his maiden cap, Konstas will become the youngest ever Test opener for the Kangaroos.
Speaking ahead of the fourth Test, the youngster said he is looking forward to going toe-to-toe with India's premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
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"I won't watch too much [of Bumrah]," Konstas said.
"I have already seen him a lot. But I am excited to challenge myself and face him. Usually, our analysts do a little feedback on each bowler. I might read that, maybe."
Bumrah has been the best bowler in the series, having snapped up 21 wickets at 10.90. 10 of these scalps have come against Australia's top three consisting of Khawaja, McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne. In fact, Mitchell Marsh is the only batter in the top six that Bumrah has not dismissed multiple times.
Konstas did well for Australia A against India A ahead of the Test series, but he did not have the opportunity to come up against Bumrah. "I'm super confident," he said.
"Just backing my skills, I have done all the hard work. Just another game, I guess, and trying to keep it simple. As a kid you have always dreamt of the moment, and it is very rare, getting your baggy green. So it's a huge honour if I do get in."
So, how did Konstas celebrate his call-up to the Australian side? He said he had a quiet and emotional dinner with his family. "It was all a bit unexpected but very privileged to get the opportunity," Konstas said. "I just had dinner with the family [to celebrate], pretty chilled. It was emotional, mum was crying ... Everything has happened so fast," Konstas said.
"Mum and dad and my brothers, all their sacrifices, taking me to training, throwing me balls, experiencing the journey through highs and lows. Just to give something back to them was very special. I can't wait to have them in Melbourne for support."
Konstas has slammed 718 runs at 42.23 in 11 first-class matches since making his debut for New South Wales (NSW) last year.
The series has reached a crucial juncture, as it is level at 1-1 after the three Tests. A win for India at MCG would not only allow them to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but could also help them reach their third successive World Test Championship (WTC) final.
