Melbourne [Australia], December 26: Making an impressive debut on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test, Sam Konstas revealed his fearless approach to facing India’s formidable pace attack. The 19-year-old showcased an aggressive batting style, including audacious scoops and powerful front-foot pulls, which helped Australia finish the day in a strong position at 311/6.
Konstas, who initially struggled against India’s bowlers, notably Jasprit Bumrah, ended the day with an impressive half-century, marking a memorable start to his Test career. His knock included six boundaries and two towering sixes, a rare sight during the opening hours of a Test match. Reflecting on his aggressive strategy, Konstas shared that the thought of failure never crossed his mind.
“I always like to go out first and assert my dominance in a way and try to earn the crease,” Konstas explained. “I told Usman Khawaja I was facing the first ball. He’s so calm and relaxed, so I just trusted my instincts and backed my game.”
Konstas credited his teammates, including captain Pat Cummins, for their support. “The boys and Pat have been really good to me, telling me to be myself and reminding me that I’m here for a reason – because I score runs. I felt it was the right moment today, and it paid off.”
He also spoke about his daring ramp shot, stating that while it might seem risky if he had been dismissed, it was a shot he had worked on and felt confident about. “It’s probably a safe shot for me,” he said. “It’s the beauty of being young – it may be a bit naive, but I’m just trying to put pressure back on the bowlers.”
Looking ahead, Konstas expressed his belief that this aggressive approach will be embraced by future generations of Test cricketers. “Maybe 20 or 30 years ago, the focus was on defending and batting all day, but now there are new shots and styles. It’s exciting to put pressure back on the bowlers and hopefully it pays off in the next innings.”
India’s assistant coach, Abhishek Nayar, acknowledged that Konstas’ attacking mindset wasn’t a surprise. Having witnessed his aggressive play in a previous match against the Prime Minister’s XI, Nayar said, “We saw him in full flow when he got a hundred against us earlier in the month. We knew what we were up against.”
He added that Konstas’ approach was refreshing to see, regardless of whether it was from the opposition or his own team. “It’s pleasing to the eye when it works, and we had already studied his strengths through videos and practice sessions,” Nayar noted.