Former Australia opener David Warner questioned why it took a 19-year-old, Sam Konstas, to handle Jasprit Bumrah’s threat in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series against India. Warner pointed out that several experienced players should have taken the lead in countering Bumrah.
Konstas, making his debut in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, faced Bumrah for the first time and responded with bold shots to disrupt the world’s top-ranked bowler. He scored 18 runs off Bumrah in one over, effectively taking him out of the attack.
Speaking to reporters, Warner acknowledged Steve Smith’s efforts to tackle Bumrah but felt it was inappropriate for a debutant to lead the way, with seniors needing to take more initiative. He commented:
“(Sam was) being brave at the top of the order, but you’ve got guys who have played 50 Tests, they could have been brave as well. They could have played different shots, they could have moved out of their crease and batted different.”
“(Smith) Smudge tried a million different things. But it shouldn’t take someone to come out there and be brave to get that momentum shifting. You have experience at the top of the order, experience in that whole line-up.”
Konstas reached his fifty off 52 balls on Day 1 in Melbourne before being dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja for 60 (65). However, Bumrah got his revenge in the second innings, removing the right-hander for just eight runs. Australia leads the five-Test series 2-1, with one match to go.
“That’s how he plays”- David Warner on Sam Konstas
Warner, currently with the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL), praised Sam Konstas’ mix of confidence and talent in his 60-run innings. He also mentioned in the interview:
“It was very special. People are going to criticise him as well. That’s the nature of the beast, that’s the way he is going to play. When someone like Bumrah is bowling to you, you have to try and execute somehow. What he did in the Prime Minister’s XI shows he has that talent. But it also shows he is brave.”
The 19-year-old’s knock contributed to Australia’s commanding first-innings total of 474, helping them secure a 184-run victory over India.
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