India fight back after wonder boy Sam Konstas thrills MCG with runs and Virat Kohli run-in
In front of bumper Boxing Day crowd of 87,242, teen debutant scores 60 from 65 balls, before Jasprit Bumrah leads the visitors’ fightback
India fought back with four late wickets to leave Australia on 311 for six on day one of the fourth Test on Thursday after teen debutant Sam Konstas had lit up the Melbourne Cricket Ground with a thrilling knock in the morning.
Tempers rose in blazing heat in front of a bumper Boxing Day crowd of 87,242, with Virat Kohli booed by home fans after bumping shoulders with Konstas on the pitch after the 19-year-old smashed India’s bowlers around the park early on.
Konstas shrugged off the clash on the way to scoring 60 from 65 balls as Australia’s top order rewarded captain Pat Cummins’ decision to bat after he won the toss.
“It was quite surreal, obviously, with the big crowd – biggest crowd I’ve ever played in – and I feel like the boys welcomed me,” said Konstas, who has 11 first-class matches under his belt.
“So just playing with that freedom and backing myself and lucky to get a few runs today. Obviously a bit disappointed with the way I got out, but hopefully we get a bit of momentum for tomorrow.”
It was left to Jasprit Bumrah to keep India in the fight, the pace spearhead bowling danger man Travis Head for a duck with the ageing ball and getting all-rounder Mitchell Marsh to nick behind for four.
