Former India head coach Ravi Shastri lavished praise on Australian debutant Sam Konstas for the manner in which he toyed with Jasprit Bumrah on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne on Thursday, December 26. While sharing his thoughts on the 19-year-old’s knock, Shastri opined that no batter has treated Bumrah in such an audacious manner in any format of the game.
Batting first after winning the toss, Australia reached 311-6 by stumps on Day 1 of the MCG Test. Debutant Konstas stole the show in the opening session of play, hammering 60 off 65 balls, with the aid of six fours and two sixes. The youngster added 89 for the first wicket with Usman Khawaja (57) before he was trapped leg before by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja.
Speaking on Star Sports, Shastri hailed Konstas for the manner in which he took on Bumrah, nonchalantly pulling off a few scoops and ramp shots. The former India all-rounder said (as quoted by ANI):
Shastri went on to compare Konstas to former India opener Virender Sehwag. He stated that the Aussie’s whirlwind knock reminded him of a young Sehwag.
Before making his Test debut on Thursday at the MCG, Konstas had hammered 107 off 97 balls in the practice game for Prime Minister’s XI against India. The impressive knock featured 14 fours and a six.
Apart from Konstas and Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith also struck fifties for Australia on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test. While Labuschagne was dismissed for 72, Smith was unbeaten on 68 at stumps. According to Shastri, Smith‘s return to form doesn’t augur well for India. He said:
Smith began BGT 2024-25 with scores of 0, 17 and 2 in the first two Tests. He compiled a defiant 101 in the first innings of the rain-hit Test in Brisbane. Smith occupied the crease for 190 balls and hit 12 fours in his resolute knock.
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