Brave Sam Konstas reverse scoops as Jasprit Bumrah concedes first Test six in 3 years-OxBig News Network

Nerveless teenage opener Sam Konstas lit up the Boxing Day Test with an unconventional onslaught of ramp shots against Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Konstas, the youngest player ever to open the batting in a Test match for Australia, struck two boundaries and a six using reverse ramp shots against Bumrah. Bumrah conceded a six after 4,483 deliveries and three years since Cameron Green hit him for one in Sydney in 2021. Remarkably, Konstas achieved this feat with a reverse ramp just 23 balls into his debut innings.

The Indian pacer, who has dominated Australia’s top order throughout the series, could only laugh as Konstas flicked him over the wicketkeeper’s head for back-to-back boundaries. Konstas sprinted to the wicket with infectious energy and completed his first national anthem as a Test cricketer with a smile and a musical flourish. He then survived a challenging opening over from Bumrah, who beat his bat four times. Not since records began in 2006 has there been as many play-and-misses in the first two overs of a Test match.

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However, Konstas had vowed not to “die wondering,” and after keeping his plans against Bumrah under wraps, he took the attack to the Indian pacer. He attempted reverse ramps off the 11th and 14th balls he faced before successfully executing three more. His bold stroke play had Seven Network analyst Ricky Ponting speculating about whether it was a premeditated strategy.

“I wonder if he sat back last night and said, ‘You know what, boys? I’m going to reverse sweep him all day here,’” Ponting quipped. Konstas’ daring approach to Bumrah contrasted starkly with the Indian bowler’s typically dominant performances. Despite the initial misses, the young opener’s persistence paid off, unsettling Bumrah and setting the tone for a brisk start to the innings. His unorthodox methods drew comparisons to his explosive performances in recent matches, including a century against India for the Prime Minister’s XI and a quick-fire half-century for the Sydney Thunder.

Adding to the drama, Konstas later walked down the pitch to a delivery from Mohammed Siraj, engaging in a heated exchange with the fiery Indian pacer. His aggression complemented his partner Usman Khawaja’s steadier approach, with Khawaja surviving an early lbw review to anchor the other end.