Haren
It will be close to a month since 19-year-old Australian opener Sam Konstas made his Test debut against India in the fourth Test match at Melbourne during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Australian youngster, who created history with a breezy half-century during his maiden Test innings during the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne in December last year, had smashed Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah for 18 runs in an over during that knock and the opener had opened about the maiden innings.
Apart from attempting to play ramp shots against Bumrah on Boxing Day in Melbourne, Konstas would hit the Indian pacer for two sixes while trying the same shot. “It’s interesting seeing how people view me on the field. Some think I’m arrogant but I feel like I’m just pretty confident and just back my skills. Obviously a dream come true representing my country, singing the anthem, looking at Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, I was like, ‘far out, this is real. I did (stop and think) a few days ago, I was like, ‘did I actually do that on the field?’”, Konstas told 7NEWS in an interview.
The cricketer, who has Greek heritage, though would once again hit the headlines when Indian batsman Virat Kohli shoulder-barged the youngster during the Melbourne Test. Konstas then once again had an altercation with Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah during the opening day of the Sydney Test. The incident happened on the penultimate delivery of the opening day with Usman Khawaja taking some time to get ready at the striker’s end with Bumrah getting disturbed over the delay. Konstas, who was at the non-striker end, seemed to have uttered a few words to the Indian skipper. Bumrah then picked up the wicket of Khawaja off the next delivery with Bumrah charging towards Konstas following the dismissal and Virat Kohli too joining the duo with some words exchanged. Konstas opened about the shoulder check incident with Kohli sharing he has no regrets about the incident.
“No, I have no regrets. I like to live by that and it was so special. I’ve watched it so many times, I’m not going to lie. Even going to the nets, little kids coming up for photos, I’m happy to sign autographs, take my time away from cricket, because I was one of them.” Said Konstas.
The youngster also talked about how he had a conversation with his team-mates including Nathan Lyon prior to his debut in Melbourne. “I told the boys it’s just another grade game. I said that to Nathan Lyon and he said ‘mate, what are you on?’ But for me, what an opportunity to show them what I’ve got,” recalled Konstas.
Konstas also shared how he would want people to remember him. “People would text me and say I’m watching cricket again because of you. I got very happy hearing people say that to me. I want to be the best player in the world. I want everyone to remember Sam Konstas who I am on and off the field, so hopefully that can come true,” shared Konstas.
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