Sam Konstas’ Test debut has started in the most remarkable fashion, with the teen sensation playing a number of spectacular ramp shots to bamboozle Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and send a heaving MCG crowd into raptures on Boxing Day.
However, the 19-year-old’s stunning onslaught, after Australia won the toss and elected to bat, was soured by a physical altercation with Virat Kohli that could land the Indian superstar in trouble with the match referee.
After Konstas had played a number of audacious shots, Kohli walked directly towards him at the end of an over and bumped into his shoulder. Kohli followed it up with some words to the youngster.
Given that players are not allowed to deliberately make physical contact with each other, Kohli could face a ban for the fifth Test at the SCG.
“Absolutely unnecessary,” former Indian coach and player Ravi Shastri said. “I imagine the match referee will look at it very closely.”
Former Australian coach Justin Langer added: “No good. We don’t like seeing that in any cricket. Plenty will be said about this.”
After receiving his baggy green cap before play from former NSW and Australian opener Mark Taylor, Konstas was out lbw to Ravindra Jadeja for 60 off 65 balls after smashing the third-fastest Test half century on debut in a breathtaking display of batting.
After taking eight balls to lay bat on ball, Konstas tried to reverse ramp his 11th delivery – a short-of-a-length ball – over the slips cordon but the ball narrowly missed his stumps.
It was an extraordinary shot, even if it didn’t come off. Had Konstas been bowled, the pressure would have been on Australia’s youngest opening batsman in Test history.
Konstas’ attempted ramp shot. Credit: Seven
He didn’t let it bother him, though, and was flicking Bumrah for four runs over wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant’s head, drawing smiles from Bumrah and Kohli.
The NSW prodigy had tried the trick shot against Indian bowlers before, playing similar ramp shots over the slips cordon during his century for the Prime Minister’s XI against India last month.
That match in Canberra was effectively a one-dayer, but clearly Konstas felt a similar plan would unsettle Bumrah and help spread the field in Melbourne.
Then came a reverse ramp shot over the slips for six, before a similar shot three balls later to make it 14 runs off Bumrah’s fourth over.
“Has anyone told him this is not the BBL?” Australian great Ricky Ponting said in commentary for Channel Seven. “Does he know he’s not rocking up for the Sydney Thunder like he did last week?
“Talk about them being flustered. They don’t know where to look at the moment, the Indians.
“I expected him to show up today and puff the chest out and show what he’s all about. I didn’t expect some of the stuff I’ve seen here already.”
Bumrah’s sixth over went for 18 runs, with Konstas cracking a six to mid-wicket to force the leading wicket taker of the series out of the attack.
At the second drinks break, Konstas appeared relaxed and content with how he’d played against India’s spearhead bowler when interviewed on Fox Sports’ coverage.
Sam Konstas has had a debut for the ages.Credit: Getty Images
Having plundered more runs (34) than any player has ever done during a Bumrah spell, Konstas even said he wanted the world’s best bowler to come back on.
“[I thought about the reverse ramp] when the ball was coming down,” Konstas said. “I’ll look to keep targeting him. Hopefully, he might come back on. We’ll see what happens.
“It’s quite surreal. Just trying to play with freedom and back myself. Hopefully, I can get a few more.
Asked about the confrontation with Kohli, Konstas said: “Whatever [happens] on the field stays on the field. I love competing. It doesn’t get any better for a debut at a packed stadium.”
Konstas received a standing ovation when he walked off in the 20th over after scoring 60 runs off 65 balls in what was arguably the most memorable Boxing Day moment at the MCG since Shane Warne took his 700th Test wicket.
With Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne batting away in the middle, the TV cameras panned to Konstas taking selfies with fans. Debuts don’t come much better.
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