Sam Konstas, a debutant, has thus far enjoyed his time with the Australian squad. Konstas demonstrated his value as a batsman by hitting 60 runs off 65 deliveries in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, although Cricket Australia and the squad management came under fire for benching Nathan McSweeney following the Gabba Test. As Steve Smith scored 140 runs and Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne each recorded half-centuries, his knock helped the other batters calm down.
Even against Jasprit Bumrah, who is considered to be among the best players in modern cricket and is currently leading the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in wicket-taking, Konstas appeared incredibly confident in his approach in the field and was not afraid to use unconventional shots like reverse scoops and ramps.
On the first day of the fourth test, Konstas and Virat Kohli pushed into one other, resulting in a verbal and physical brawl that made headlines.
Sam Konstas returned shortly after dismissal to sign autographs and take photographs with the supporters.
At the end of the 26th over on Day 2, the 19-year-old started a Viking Clap. He motioned for the onlookers to join him, and they did. While providing analysis, former cricket player Ravi Shastri stated, “He’s [Konstas] soaking it in the atmosphere.” He is currently starting them up.
Sam Konstas is getting the crowd involved 😅#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/LxpxbvnPEf
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2024
India’s batting is stabilised by Jaiswal and Kohli.
Australia scored an incredible 474 runs in the first innings, led by Steve Smith’s 34th Test century, while India struggled to get off to a good start with the ball. Rohit Sharma, who left to hustle three runs, failed to get the visitors off to a strong start. The captain went back up the order, but he was ejected in the second over, so the move did not work out. KL Rahul, who dropped to three, had a strong start but left after 24 runs.
India was saved by opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Virat Kohli, who appeared to be in fine form. The child scored a half-century and plans to turn it into a large hundred because India sorely needs it. Kohli, however, would be looking to capitalise on the start after avoiding offside of the off-stump deliveries.
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