The 19-year-old Australia National Cricket Team sensation Sam Konstas has issued a warning to the India National Cricket Team bowlers ahead of the fourth Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Sam Konstas said that he has a few plans in place to deal with the threat of the Jasprit Bumrah-led Indian bowling unit in the Melbourne Cricket Ground Test match, which will begin on December 26.
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Sam Konstas replaced Nathan McSweeney for the last two Test matches
The teenage batting sensation Sam Konstas is one of the most exciting young players in the Australian cricket circuit. He has featured in 11 matches in first-class cricket and has scored 718 runs at an average of 42.33 with two tons and three fifties.
He has impressed the Australian selectors with his batting style, and there were expectations of him starting the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 series as the partner of Usman Khawaja at the top.
However, the selection committee preferred Nathan McSweeney over Konstas for the first three matches but the failure of the former led to him being dropped for the last two Tests.
The George Bailey-led panel has now put their faith in Konstas to provide the Aussies with good starts in the remainder of the series. He also featured in the PM XI vs India XI match in Canberra and scored a brilliant 107 runs against the Indian bowling unit.
I’m just going to react to the ball and show a bit of intent – Sam Konstas
If Konstas gets his debut Test cap at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, he would become Australia’s youngest Test debutant since captain Pat Cummins, who was 18 years and 193 days old when he got his Baggy Green in 2011. Talking about this, the youngster said on Fox Cricket:
“It will be a huge honour debuting. A dream come true. I think it’s a sellout already (at the MCG).”
He also made it clear that he will take on the Indian bowlers with full intent and put pressure on them.
“I’ve got a few plans against those (Indian) bowlers. Feeling like I’m moving really nice and hopefully I get that opportunity. I’m just going to react to the ball and show a bit of intent and put a bit of pressure back on the bowlers,” he added.
Mum was in tears so I was telling her not to cry. Dad was super proud – Sam Konstas
The 19-year-old further revealed that he was doing net practice when the chief selector informed him about his selection in the Test squad. He explained:
“I’m very excited (to take on India). I want to be challenged. I was so thrilled. Called my parents straight away… Mum was in tears so I was telling her not to cry. Dad was super proud.
Konstas further revealed that McSweeney, who was devasted after his snub, congratulated him for his call-up.
“It’s been an amazing journey. All the ups and down – very grateful for their sacrifices. They’ve been great support to me. Nathan McSweeney is a very good player in all three formats – he actually congratulated me this morning so we’re very close mates. I wish him all the best,” he said.
