Indian media's Tendulkar nod for 'unthinkable' Konstas as rival's ...

India’s media have been dazzled by Sam Konstas’ audacious Test debut and his stunning blitz on world No.1 bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

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The teenage opening batter made 60 runs off 65 balls on Boxing Day at the MCG, wowing world cricket by unleashing ramp shots against Bumrah and taking on every Indian bowler.

Curiously, Konstas got a back-handed review from an Indian writer for the century he made for Australia A earlier this summer; though his bravado was noted.

But now, a star it born - and he earned rave reviews.

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Sam Konstas plays a ramp shot against Jasprit Bumrah.Source: AFP

Writing for the Hindustan Times, R Kaushik said that there was serious scrutiny on Konstas after he’d flagged his intentions to take on Bumrah. After being beaten four times by Bumrah in the first over, chatter gathered steam in the press box.

“Until, in Bumrah’s fourth, he did the unthinkable. To the first ball, he walked across his stumps and scooped him to fine-leg for four. Bumrah stopped in his tracks, gave him a knowing smile. Konstas looked the premier quick square in the eye, didn’t back down. The next ball disappeared over third-man for six, the reverse scoop coming off at the third time of asking. In the same over, another reverse, another four. Fourteen had come off Bumrah’s fourth over. Come again?

“Come again, Konstas most certainly did. Come hard at Bumrah, that is.

“India’s helplessness as the Konstas innings gathered steam was unmistakable. After the first over, there was a sense of déjà vu, of a Nathan McSweeney reprisal. When the first reverse scoop was attempted, the slip cordon – Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli among them – grinned. Those grins gave way to frustration, then mounting rage which manifested in a clash of right shoulders between Kohli and Konstas. Who was this guy? How could he treat our Jassi, 6-2-38-0, like this?”

Writing for the Deccan Herald, Madhu Jawali compared the buzz of Konstas’ innings to an early masterclass from the iconic Sachin Tendulkar.

“Rewind your memories to 1989 when a 16-year-old Sachin Tendulkar sensationally demolished Abdul Qadir, perhaps the best leg-spinner of that time, in an exhibition match against Pakistan on his debut series.

“It was a lost cause for India until the precocious teenager decided to change the course of the game. India eventually fell short of target but Tendulkar had announced his arrival like few have since.

“The scenes weren’t exactly as exhilarating at the near-full Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, the opening day of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia. But another immensely talented teen, Sam Konstas, unperturbed by reputations, took down the best fast bowler -- Jasprit Bumrah -- in the world with an audacious display of skill and temperament.

“The rookie’s method, as unorthodox as it was effective, left the Indian maestro searching for answers.”

Australian debutant Sam Konstas during his opening-session blitz. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia

Writing for the New Indian Express, Gomesh S described Konstas’ innings as a freak show with purpose.

“Now, it all might seem like a freak show — to an extent, it was — but there was a method to Konstas madness. He used the reverse scoop to throw Bumrah off his length and put a fielder in the back and never brought it back again. In the first hour of the Test match — on a pitch that was flatter than expected — he had not just gotten under the skin of India captain Rohit Sharma who was struggling for moves, but also Bumrah who had to alter his lengths.

“And then with the ball was pitched full, Konstas threw the bat down the ground. He became the first batter since Jost Buttler in 2021 to hit Bumrah for a six in Test cricket. He also ensured Bumrah went for more than run-a-ball in his first spell. The 34 of the 38 he scored is the most any batter has ever scored against Bumrah during a spell in Test cricket. Adding to it, Konstas would even say that he is keen on facing Bumrah in his second spell during a conversation with the broadcasters at drinks.

“The teen sensation, who created history by just walking onto the field, lived up to every bit of hype that was around him as he got to his half-century in front of family and friends and coach Tahmid Islam who had flown in from Sydney to watch him. He eventually fell to Jadeja in the 20th over, with a 65-ball 60 to show, but Konstas’ knock was so much more than that.”

Writing for the Indian Express, Sriram Veera said that Konstas might have made a century and that his teammates had not entirely capitalised on by far Australia’s best opening partnership of the series.

“He had beaten Konstas four times in the first over and troubled him a few more times later, before the youngster decided it was time to play his card. A shimmy to the left and to the right and the audacious lapscoops came. Did he ever think that he might have looked silly had he been bowled, trying to do it?

“He has every reason to be disappointed that he didn’t go on and get a hundred but it’s a few other teammates of his that should be disappointed as they have allowed the gate to be slightly ajar for India to gatecrash.

“It was a day of goosebumps, sighs and relief. Firstly a record crowd of 87242 saw a plucky teenager live out a surreal dream, a moment made more surreal that it was the great Australian captain Mark Taylor, a dour dogged opening batsman, who gave the baggy green to him. Once the crowd got over the goosebumps provided by the kid, Australia made them sigh by yielding wickets and thus providing relief to Indians who could have found themselves under the mat.’

Speaking on Star Sports, former Australian coach and champion opening batter Justin Langer said that the tourists had underestimated Konstas. He revealed that an opposing opening batter had claimed he would not have the gumption to try ramp shots on Test debut.

“Sam Konstas has been given a license to go and attack Bumrah, but that’s not easy. That is so hard to do. Even in T20 cricket, I think Bumrah’s economy rate is as good as anyone. So it’s not easy to do that. But the kid was bold, talking a good game, and then he came and put it into action. That’s what great players do. Anyone can talk a good game. He came and put it into action, and it was exciting to watch.

“He’s only played 11 first-class games, but I did speak to KL Rahul before the game. And I said, ‘Have you seen this kid Sam Konstas?’ And he goes, ‘Oh, we only saw him in the Prime Minister’s XI game (50 overs). He was playing these ramp shots and all this sort of stuff.’ Rahul said, ‘But he won’t do that today.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, sure he won’t do that today.’ And straight away, Sam Konstas was doing that.”