True match-winners always find a way to stay involved in the game, even when they don’t have a direct role in the current play. Virat Kohli embodies this mindset, and when he saw India struggling at the MCG on Thursday, the former captain did what he does best—distract Sam Konstas in his signature style.
The first session of the 2024 Boxing Day Test will be remembered for how young Sam Konstas made his mark with a blistering knock. Much had been speculated about how he would perform against Bumrah.
After being beaten four times in the opening over and missing a couple of reverse scoops in the following two, Konstas found his rhythm with a conventional scoop off Bumrah’s fourth over. From that point, he never looked back.
Scoring 34 off Bumrah’s first spell, he put Australia firmly in control. This also had the effect of keeping Khawaja away from Bumrah—who has dismissed the left-hander four times in the series—as Khawaja faced just three balls in Bumrah’s first spell.
Konstas brought up his fifty off just 52 balls, leaving India rattled. Australia posted their highest opening partnership of the series, which was only broken when Konstas misread a slider from Jadeja.
— DJ Sinha (@sdj374531) December 26, 2024
Labuschagne, coming in after Konstas’ departure, appeared at ease—largely thanks to the foundation laid by Konstas’ blistering start. His knock not only provided Australia with a rapid start but also ensured that the top order was shielded from the new ball and Bumrah’s threat.
Kohli and Konstas come together and make contact 👀#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/adb09clEqd
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 26, 2024