Rishabh Pant opened up about the fiery exchange between India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah and Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the tense final moments of Day 1 in the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Pant suggested that the Australian openers were deliberately trying to waste time to prevent India from getting one more over in before stumps.
Rishabh Pant explained, “I feel they had a little chitchat; they wanted to waste some time. I feel that’s the reason Konstas had a conversation with Jasprit Bumrah. He said something; I didn’t hear it. But I feel that’s the only thing which he wanted to do—waste some time so we don’t get to bowl one more over.” Rishabh Pant’s insight offered a glimpse into the psychology of the moment, as the tension between the two teams mounted.
The incident began with Usman Khawaja, the batter on strike, deliberately delaying facing the final ball of the day in an attempt to ensure no further overs would be bowled. Bumrah, clearly frustrated by the delay, had to abort his run-up multiple times.
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At the non-striker’s end, Sam Konstas appeared to be defending the tactic, leading to a heated exchange between him and Bumrah. Umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat had to intervene, but the atmosphere was charged as both teams prepared for the end of the day’s play. Usman Khawaja, who had been facing Bumrah, ultimately paid the price for the delay.
Despite Bumrah not having his best rhythm on the day, he bowled a fiery delivery on the last ball before stumps. The ball pitched just outside Khawaja’s off-stump, and the batter, under pressure, poked at it. It stayed slightly low, but the sheer pace of the delivery carried the ball straight into the hands of KL Rahul at second slip, who took a brilliant catch. The Indian team erupted in celebration, with Bumrah leading the charge.
Bumrah, having taken the wicket, turned and faced Konstas, celebrating directly in front of the young Australian. The Indian players gathered around, adding to the intensity of the moment. Virat Kohli and Prasidh Krishna, along with the rest of the team, had a few words for Konstas as he made his way off the field. The exchange highlighted the competitive spirit between the two sides, with India rallying around their newly appointed captain in a show of unity and passion.
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Earlier in the day, Australia’s pacers dominated, exploiting the grassy SCG pitch and overcast conditions to bowl India out for a meager 185. At stumps, Australia were 9 for 1, with Bumrah removing Khawaja for 2. Konstas was unbeaten at 7, having struck Bumrah for a boundary on his first ball, but the game remained in the balance as both teams headed into Day 2.
