Star Australian batter Sam Konstas has said that he got ‘caught in the moment’ during his stunning Test debut against India, as he returned to Shield cricket on Saturday. However, he stunned the cricketing world with an aggressive 60 against a strong Indian attack, including Jasprit Bumrah. However, after scoring just 53 runs across his next three innings, selectors decided to send him back to domestic cricket to gain more experience, promoting Travis Head to open for the Sri Lanka tour as well.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Konstas said, “I feel like for me, I just love the game and I got caught in the moment – definitely,” Konstas said. “First time playing with big crowds. I felt like the emotions got to me quite a bit, and hopefully, if I do get into that scenario again I can control that a bit better.”

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However, Konstas played at the Gabba for the first time in the Shield clash against Queensland, which he believes is important opportunity to develop his skills. While Sam Konstas has yet to experience playing in spin-friendly conditions, the bouncy and fast-paced Gabba pitch will pose a hardle for him as an opener against Queensland as well.

“This is going to be my first time at the Gabba, and hopefully (NSW) we will build a bit of momentum and make the final,” he told CODE Sports.

His NSW captain, Jack Edwards, backed the selectors’ decision to send him back to Shield cricket, saying that the importance of game time.

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“For Sam to go (to Sri Lanka) and still have experiences in those conditions training, I’m sure it’ll be amazing for him … (and) as much as he hasn’t played on the subcontinent, he also hasn’t played at the Gabba,” Edwards said. “He’s going to be in the Test team for a long time in the future, (and) he’s going to play a lot of cricket (at the Gabba). Typically, in Shield cricket, you get more of a greener wicket here, a bit more grass on it, so it’s going to be a pretty good test. The Bulls have (also) got a very strong bowling attack, so for him to get the experience is going to be great for him.”

“Whenever I’ve seen him play, he always wants to score as many runs as possible,” the NSW skipper said. “It’ll be great to have him back around the group. He’s coming off the back of a good Test summer, but also his energy and personality around the group is fantastic for us. We’ve got a pretty young group. He’s got a lot of good mates. He’s not a shy guy, so I’m sure he’ll fit back in well, and hopefully, he can score a ton of runs for us.”