Indian superstar Jasprit Bumrah has taken the mickey out of Sam Konstas with a celebration after dismissing the Aussie debutant on Sunday.
Konstas rattled India during his first innings, plundering a half-century from just 52 balls following some amazing ramp shots and bold striking as he thrashed the world-class bowling attack.
However, the youngster wasn’t able to do the same on Sunday after being bowled for eight off 18 balls by a perfect inswinger from Bumrah.
Bumrah smiled broadly after claiming the wicket and waved his hands to the crowd in a manner similar to Konstas had done during India’s innings.
‘That meant a lot to Bumrah. He was taken down by Konstas in the first innings, 34 in the first spell,’ said commentator Damien Fleming on Channel 7.
‘But the great fast bowler has worked out a plan and generally it’s been the ball seaming in and that’s hit, crashed into the top of middle stump.
Jasprit Bumrah has taken the mickey out of Sam Konstas with a celebration after dismissing the youngster
Konstas was bowled for eight off 18 balls by a perfect inswinger from Bumrah
‘What a celebration. That is the pathway to the pavilion for Konstas. The youngster has got to go.’
Commentator Isa Guha noted the pointed nature of Bumrah’s celebration.
‘Sam Konstas got the better of Jasprit Bumrah in the first innings and Jasprit Bumrah has just equalised. He’s just saying to the kid, ‘I can get the crowd going too’. How good,’ she said on Fox Sports.
Cricket legend Michael Hussey replied: ‘It’s a great leveller this sport. You experience the highest of highs and then it always come to back to bite you at certain stages. The young man will learn a few lessons over the course of his career’.
Mohammed Siraj got the second breakthrough for India, knocking Usman Khawaja over for 21 off 65 deliveries.
Australia entered their second innings with a lead of 105 after India were bowled out for 369 at the start of day four at the MCG.
A brilliant maiden century from Nitish Kumar Reddy powered India past the follow-on target on Saturday, after the tourists were in trouble at 5-164 in reply to Australia’s 474.
Nathan Lyon (3-96) removed Reddy (114) 17 minutes into the first session on Sunday when the breakout star hit an easy catch to long-off.
Sam Konstas pictured revving up the crowd earlier in the match
Konstas’ brief knock on Sunday was nothing like his swashbuckling effort in the first innings
It came after a controversial call from the TV umpire in the previous over when No.11 Mohammed Siraj was given not out despite the ball appearing to carry to slips.
Australia captain Pat Cummins wanted to review the decision but was unable to because TV umpire Sharfuddoula was the one who made the call.
Reddy, just 21 and playing in his fourth Test, helped India add another 11 runs to their overnight score of 9-358.
Australia made all the early running in this fourth Test, but India turned it around on Saturday through Reddy and Washington Sundar (50) to have their best day since dominating the series-opener in Perth.
Scott Boland, the pick of Australia’s bowlers with 3-57 from 27 overs, said team morale remained high.
‘Obviously, it could have been better, but I think that’s the Test match ebbs and flows,’ the 35-year-old said on Saturday night.
‘Hopefully (Sunday) morning we get that final wicket, then put on a really nice lead and see how the game plays after that.’
Australia bowled 120 overs at India as the effects of a gruelling series appear to take their toll on Mitchell Starc.
Mohammed Siraj got the second breakthrough for India, knocking Usman Khawaja
The star quick received treatment on his back on day three, but continued to bowl at top pace for the final session.
Starc has toiled for 25 overs in this Test, backing up from the 24 he bowled in Brisbane.
Boland was recalled to the XI after star quick Josh Hazlewood broke down for a second time in the series at the Gabba.
The fitness of Australia’s bowling attack will be a major factor in deciding the outcome of the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
This Test is set to go five days, a rarity in modern cricket in Australia, meaning the players will have only three days off before the finale at the SCG gets underway.
With the five-match series tied 1-1, India will retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy if they pull off an extraordinary comeback victory in this Test.
Australia need to prevent the tourists from winning one of the last two matches of the series, while claiming at least one themselves, to regain the trophy for the first time since 2014-15.
