Young Australia opener Sam Konstas made a remarkable start to his Test career, smashing a fifty on debut in the first innings of the 4th Test against India in Melbourne. He hit a quickfire 60 off just 65 balls, looking comfortable while taking on the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. He became a fan favourite at the MCG after clashing with star India batter Virat Kohli, who had shoulder barged him during his knock in the first innings. He was also seen making gestures after Kohli and Bumrah were dismissed in the second innings.

However, his actions came back to haunt him, according to former Australia batter Michael Hussey. Bumrah cleaned him with a ripper in the second innings when he was batting on 8, and replicated the same celebration made by Konstas in the first innings.

While referring to Konstas’ theatrics in the first innings, Hussey suggested that certain reactions from players always come back to bite them back at some point.

“It always comes back to bite you at some stage. I wonder if Sam Konstas is back in the dressing rooms thinking, ‘I wish I charged him’. It just makes the battle between the two nations all the more spicy,” Hussey said on Fox Sports.

“You don’t see a lot of theatrics from Bumrah, but when Sam Konstas was dismissed, he thought, ‘Yep, I’m here as well,” he added.

Meanwhile, Australia stubbornly battled back to reach 228-9 at the close of play on Day 4, leading by 333 runs in an absorbing fourth Test.

Up by 105 runs on the first innings, Australia were rocked by losing four wickets for 11 midway through the second session to slump to 91-6.

Bumrah scythed through the middle order on day four in Melbourne to record figures of 4-56 off 24 overs and hand India an outside chance of victory in a match the home side have mostly dominated.

However, India’s hopes were diminished by a stubborn, unbeaten final-wicket stand of 55 from 17.5 overs.

Nathan Lyon was at the crease on 41 while number 11 Scott Boland had seen off 65 balls to be 10 not out at the close.

(With AFP Inputs)

Mark Waugh and Mike Hussey had contrasting takes on Rishabh Pant’s shot selection.© AFP

Former Australia cricketer Michael Hussey shared his experience the first time he faced a young Jasprit Bumrah in the Mumbai Indians nets during his brief stint with the franchise in 2014 and Hussey revealed that he couldn’t have foreseen the meteoric rise of the wiry pacer, but he wasn’t entirely surprised either. The former Australian batting maestro reflected on his initial encounter with Bumrah, the doubts surrounding his unconventional bowling style, and the stern advice he offered to the young pacer early in his career.

“I actually played a year with him in the IPL when I was with the Mumbai Indians,” Hussey told Willow Talk. “He was just a young kid coming through. I remember facing him in the nets and literally couldn’t get bat on the ball. I felt like I was using a toothpick.”

The Aussie great was left awestruck by Bumrah’s unique action and sharp pace.

“I couldn’t even see the ball, let alone pick it coming out of his hand. His action is so different, so deceptive. My first impression? I honestly didn’t think he’d even make it to the crease. His run-up was staggered and awkward. I remember thinking, ‘Who is this guy?’ And then suddenly, woof—the ball whistles past my eyebrows at 145kph!”

At the time, Bumrah was seen as a white-ball specialist with limited potential for Test cricket. Hussey recalled the conversations swirling in Indian cricket circles back then.

“In India, there was so much scepticism. People said his action and run-up would be too hard on his body, that he wouldn’t last in Test cricket,” Hussey said. “They thought he was made for white-ball cricket alone. But even back then, I could see his skills and ability. I knew that if he had the desire to play Test cricket, he could succeed.”

Hussey was full of admiration for Bumrah’s achievements in the longest format of the game. “Isn’t he doing it bloody well at the moment? It’s just phenomenal to see how he’s grown.”

Hussey also shared an anecdote about a game-changing moment early in Bumrah’s IPL career. It was a match between the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014 when Bumrah dismissed the legendary AB de Villiers.

“He burst onto the scene in the IPL and bowled brilliantly. I remember one game where he got AB de Villiers out. Obviously, AB is one of the greatest, and Bumrah gave him a big send-off. AB wasn’t happy,” Hussey recalled.

The send-off didn’t sit well with Hussey either. After the game, the veteran took the young bowler aside for a word of advice.

“I told him, ‘Mate, you don’t need to do that. You have so much skill and talent. Just getting the wicket is the biggest statement you can make. If you want respect in the game and from your peers, you don’t need send-offs.’”

Hussey admitted it was an uncharacteristic moment for Bumrah, who he described as one of the most humble and down-to-earth cricketers he’s met.

“He’s such a great guy. That send-off was out of character for him. He’s always smiling, always calm, and consistent in his behaviour. He doesn’t get too emotional. It’s one of the reasons he’s such a phenomenal bowler and such a joy to watch.”

Looking back, Hussey marvelled at how far Bumrah had come since those early days. “He’s unbelievable. Watching him grow into one of the best bowlers in the world has been incredible. From a kid in the nets who terrified us to one of the most respected cricketers globally, it’s been a joy to witness.”

The Australian 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas gears up for a potential Test debut in the iconic Boxing Day Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His call-up, hailed as an “exciting” opportunity by cricket legend Mike Hussey, comes at the expense of Nathan McSweeney, who has been dropped after just three Tests—a decision that has sparked mixed reactions from players and pundits alike. McSweeney’s omission follows a string of underwhelming performances since his debut last month, where he failed to surpass 10 runs in five out of six innings.

While the 25-year-old showed promise, his inability to adapt to the challenges of opening at the Test level, particularly against the moving ball, proved costly.

Head selector George Bailey admitted it was a “really hard decision” to drop McSweeney, especially since he was placed in an unfamiliar position as an opener despite not specializing in that role at the domestic level.

“I get the dream come true, and then it didn’t quite work out the way I wanted,” he told 7 News Adelaide.

“But it’s all part of it, I’ll get my head down and get back in the nets and work really hard, and hopefully be ready to go for the next opportunity. It’s the game we’re in; if you don’t take your opportunity and you’re not performing as well as you want to, your position’s never safe.

“I missed out a few times with the bat and unfortunately wasn’t able to take my opportunity, but as I said I’ll work really hard to make sure if the opportunity comes round again I’m definitely ready.”

The decision to axe McSweeney has divided opinions among Australian cricket legends. Mike Hussey expressed sympathy for the young batter, acknowledging the tough conditions for openers this summer.

“I really feel for McSweeney. I think it’s tough on him. Tough call,” Hussey said on Fox Cricket.

“I don’t know (if it was the right call). It’s a tough one on him. It’s not easy. The ball’s been moving around quite a lot for the openers. A lot of batters at the top of the order have been battling away.

“Let’s look at the other side, and it’s so exciting for a player like Sam Konstas.”

On the other hand, Michael Clarke was more critical of the selectors, arguing that McSweeney wasn’t given a fair chance to establish himself.

“This could end Nathan McSweeney’s career. They picked him, he deserved the summer. What happens if Usman Khawaja retires in two Tests? Does McSweeney come back, or does he go to the back of the queue?” Clarke questioned on his Beyond23 podcast.

The spotlight now shifts to Sam Konstas, the teenage prodigy who has been rewarded for his stellar performances across all formats. His recent form, including a composed 56-run knock for the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League, solidified his case for national selection.

Hussey, who watched Konstas’ innings live, praised the youngster’s temperament and aggression.

“I was very impressed. It was the first time I’d seen him live,” Hussey said of Konstas’ half-century for the Thunder.

“What an occasion to make your Test debut. Boxing Day Test against India, opening the batting, and he’s only 19 years of age. Wow. What a story,” Hussey said.

Konstas is expected to bring fresh energy and fearlessness to Australia’s struggling top order, which has faced immense challenges this summer.

Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist believes Konstas’ fearless approach in the BBL match against the Adelaide Strikers clinched his Test call-up.

“It’s that innings that tipped it in his favour. His aggression, his desire to score—it’s been horribly challenging for that Australian top order, and I think he’s ready to take it on,” Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.

Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir© PTI

Ahead of the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former cricketer Michael Hussey backed star India batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and said that one cannot write off champion players like them. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will kick off from November 22 in Perth. Adelaide and Brisbane will host the second and third Test matches of the series, respectively. The iconic Boxing Day Test will be played in Melbourne. The final and fifth Test of the series will take place in Sydney from January 3.

Speaking on Fox Sports, Hussey said Aussies will find out where India stand in terms of “mentally and from a skill perspective” only after the first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He added that India have got many players who are crowd-pullers.

“We will find out in the first Test match where they are at, mentally and from a skill perspective as well. They will be hurt by this, India. They have got a lot of crowd pullers and quality. We just heard from Gambhir talking about Rohit and Kohli not making runs. The silliest thing you can do is to write off champion players,” Hussey said.

He added Rohit and Virat come under criticism but they always perform.

“We have seen it so many times in the past – they come under criticism, but they come out and perform really well. So I’m backing them to perform well in Australia. They are proud Indians and proud Test players. But I still feel Australia will start favourites,” he added.

Earlier on Monday, while addressing the media before departing for Australia for the BGT series, India head coach Gautam Gambhir responded to questions regarding the form of Kohli and Rohit. Terming Ponting’s opinions on Indian cricket ‘irrelevant’, the former batter affirmed that both the big guns have a lot of passion and hunger for the team.

“Not at all…Ricky Ponting should think about Australian cricket, what concerns he has for Indian cricket? Virat and Rohit are incredibly tough men. They’ve achieved a lot for Indian cricket and they will continue to achieve a lot,” Gambhir said on Monday.

“They still work really hard. They’re still passionate. They still want to achieve a lot more and that is something which is very important. The hunger in that dressing room is incredibly important for me and for the entire group of people as well in that dressing room. I feel there’s a lot of hunger, especially after what has happened in the last series,” he added.

So far in 2024, both Kohli and Rohit have struggled to find their best form, attracting scrutiny following India’s recent 0-3 series loss against New Zealand. Rohit has accumulated 588 runs from 11 matches this year, averaging 29.40 with two centuries and two fifties. Meanwhile, Kohli has managed just 250 runs from six matches (12 innings), averaging 22.72 with just one half-century.

Their form is a significant concern as India prepares to face Australia, needing to win the series 4-1 to secure their spot in the World Test Championship Final (WTC). The performance of Kohli and Rohit will be crucial for India’s chances to progress to their third consecutive WTC final.

File photo of MS Dhoni.© BCCI