Sam Konstas and Virat Kohli clashed on the pitch©
It is not common to see a debutant play as fearlessly as Australian Sam Konstas en route to his 52-ball half-century against India on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Konstas hit some excellent T20 style shots early in the innings to upset the Indian pacers, especially Jasprit Bumrah. Seeing Konstas batting in sixth gear, Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli seemed to get on his nerves in the middle. In the first session, Kohli appeared to have given Konstas a shoulder push, aiming to upset the 19-year-old batsman.
The argument between Kohli and Konstas became a heated affair, prompting other players and umpires to intervene. However, the move did not have any impact on the Australian opener's mentality as he continued to bat with the same intensity and brought up his maiden half-century.
Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas exchanged a heated moment at the MCG. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/QL13nZ9IGI
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2024
Konstas became the fourth youngest Test debutant for Australia when he received his baggy green cap from former Australian skipper Mark Taylor at the age of 19 and 85 on Thursday.
Kohli and Konstas come together and connect #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/adb09clEqd
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 26, 2024
Ian Craig tops the list after playing his first game for the Aussies in 1953 at the age of 17 and 239. Skipper Pat Cummins is ranked second on the chart when he made his debut at the age of 18 years and 193 days in 2011. Tom Garrett is ranked third and Clem Hill is fifth on the chart.
Konstas played for the Prime Minister's XI in a two-day match against the touring Indians after the Perth Test and grabbed the spotlight with a century against the visiting side.
In his eleven first-class matches, Konstas has scored 718 runs at an average of 42.2, including two centuries and three half-centuries.
In the ongoing Sheffield Shield season, Konstas is the fifth highest run-getter with 471 runs in five matches at an average of 58.87, including two centuries and a fifty, with a best score of 152.
With ANI inputs
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