Jasprit Bumrah, India’s star pacer, has finally addressed his intense on-field duel with Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Bumrah, known for his ability to outthink batsmen, faced an unexpected challenge from the 19-year-old on Day 1, as Konstas took an unconventional approach to dominate the opening session.
In a candid conversation with the host broadcaster on Day 3, Jasprit Bumrah shared his thoughts on the unique battle. Drawing from his extensive experience in T20 cricket, the pacer downplayed the difficulty of bowling to Konstas while humorously reflecting on the missed opportunities.
“I’ve played T20s for 12 years, so I’ve seen similar styles before. I always felt I was in the game. Honestly, I thought I could have dismissed him 6-7 times in the first two overs,” Jasprit Bumrah remarked. “That’s cricket—some days it works, some days it doesn’t. But I enjoy these challenges and always look forward to them.”
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Sam Konstas had initially struggled against Bumrah’s accuracy and movement, repeatedly missing deliveries outside the off-stump. However, the young batter soon adjusted, adopting an audacious approach. He launched two unorthodox sixes off Bumrah, ramping deliveries behind the stumps, leaving the bowler momentarily stunned.
The best fast bowler in the world joins us. Jasprit Bumrah chats about:
– Whether this is the best he’s ever bowled
– How he felt bowling to Sam Konstas on Boxing Day
– Why he feels like playing in Australia brings the best out of him
– The current state of the Test#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/vlchRCwXjl— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 27, 2024
This shift in momentum unsettled the Indian attack, allowing Konstas to rack up an aggressive 60 off 65 balls. Konstas’ innings proved pivotal, energizing the Australian batting lineup. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne capitalized on the platform, scoring fifties, while Steve Smith crafted his 11th Test century against India.
The hosts posted an imposing total of 474 on Day 2, leaving the visitors under immense pressure. India’s response was shaky, with their top order crumbling to 159 by stumps. Yashasvi Jaiswal stood out with a gritty 82 off 118 balls, but his dismissal—courtesy of a mix-up with Virat Kohli—proved costly.
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Virat Kohli, who looked solid during his 36-run knock, fell victim to Scott Boland late in the day. Australia’s commanding position highlights the significance of Bumrah’s early exchanges with Konstas. The young Australian’s fearless batting not only neutralized India’s ace pacer but also set the tone for a dominant performance, leaving India with an uphill task to salvage the match.
