Virat Kohli, right, talks to Australia’s Sam Konstas, as Australia’s Usman Khawaja, looks on during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test in Melbourne on December 26, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP
Fiery shots on the field, soft words off it, and a wisp of a moustache, constitute the style quotient of Sam Konstas. The 19-year-old, who lit up the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with his rapid 60, faced the media after setting up a nice base for Australia here in the fourth Test on Thursday (December 26, 2024).
His first utterance had a sense of wonder: “It was quite surreal with the big crowd, the biggest crowd I have ever played in. The boys welcomed me, so I just played with that freedom and backed myself and was lucky to get a few runs. Obviously, disappointed with the way I got out but hopefully we got a bit of momentum.”
In the cauldron of international cricket, Konstas had to deal with the rough edges too and one such was when Virat Kohli’s shoulder brushed the batter’s and angry words were exchanged. “I was just doing my gloves and I think he accidentally bumped me. I think that’s just cricket, just the tension,” the opener said and seemingly doused the fire.
Probed about his assault on Jasprit Bumrah, Konstas explained: “He is a legend of the game so I was trying to put a bit of pressure on him and it paid off. But he took three wickets and changed the momentum. In that contest with him, I was trying to take his lines away. It was the first time I was facing him, getting used to his action, and obviously he beat my bat a few times and it was a great contest.”
Elaborating on the ramp shots and scoops, Konstas added: “Yeah, definitely premeditated especially with the pace but just tried to keep my head still and just watch it hard. Got a few away today and it changed the field, which was good.”
Published – December 26, 2024 02:52 pm IST
