The Boxing Day Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia (IND vs AUS) is currently being played in Melbourne. Australia chose to bat first after winning the toss, a decision that immediately bore fruit. Indian captain Rohit Sharma expressed his disappointment at losing the toss, acknowledging that he too would have opted to bat first. Making headlines was Sam Konstas, who made an explosive debut in Test cricket. He impressed the cricket world by scoring a rapid half-century off just 52 balls with a display of aggressive batting.
Admiration for Virat Kohli
Sam Konstas made a fantastic entrance into Test cricket. In an old video that is going viral, he revealed that he idolises Indian cricket star Virat Kohli as his all-time favourite player. This revelation came as a surprise to many since Virat Kohli clashed with a 19-year-old during the match. The encounter led to a tense exchange until Usman Khawaja intervened to mediate.
Strong debut performance
Thanks to Konstas’ innings that Australia reached a solid 112 runs for one wicket by lunch on the first day of this iconic Boxing Day Test. Nineteen-year-old Konstas proved his worth by contributing 60 runs in 65 balls, justifying his selection in the playing XI. Initially, he faced challenges against India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. However, Konstas soon found his rhythm, reverse sweeping Bumrah for a boundary and later smashing a six over mid-on. He continued his aggressive approach by guiding another delivery to the third-man boundary. Notably, Bumrah conceded two sixes for the first time in an opening spell during a Test match. Later Ravindra Jadeja took his wicket.
Historic achievement
Sam Konstas etched his name in the record books by becoming the first batsman to hit two sixes off a Jasprit Bumrah spell in Test cricket. Prior to this, the last batsman to clear the ropes against Bumrah in a Test match did so in 2021. Konstas ended this three-year drought, facing 4,483 deliveries before accomplishing this feat.
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