Sam Konstas exudes confidence to face Indian pacers at the MCG

While an official announcement is awaited, the debut of Sam Konstas is almost confirmed in the Boxing Day Test. Heading into the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with the series tied at 1-1, Australia has taken a bold step. The home team has dropped Nathan McSweeney from the squad for the final two matches at the MCG and Sydney. McSweeney initially edged out Konstas in the race for the opening spot in the Australian lineup for the series against India. However, three matches into the series, McSweeney has struggled significantly against Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

Sam Konstas ready to face Jasprit Bumrah in the Boxing Day Test

The 19-year-old Sam Konstas received his maiden call-up in the Australian team ahead of the Boxing Day Test. Australia is keen on claiming the Border Gavaskar Trophy with India denying them a right on it for the last decade. Thus, the home team is swift in their approach to challenge the visitors. Across the three matches, their first-choice opener, Nathan McSweeney has disappointed, consistently falling against the Indian pacers, especially Jasprit Bumrah. The batter managed just 72 runs across the six innings that he got to play in his debut series. However, with the in-form Konstas, a specialist opener unlike McSweeney, available for selection, Australia decided not to persist with McSweeney any longer.

Now, Sam Konstas is on the brink of making his Test debut as Australia takes on India in the iconic Boxing Day Test starting December 26. While just a teenager, Konstas is eager to face the challenge posed by India’s formidable bowling unit, with strategies already lined up to counter Jasprit Bumrah and his fellow bowlers.

“I’ve got a few plans against those (Indian) bowlers. Feeling like I’m moving really nice and hopefully I get that opportunity,” Konstas ahead of his anticipated debut in the Boxing Day Test. “I’m just going to react to the ball and show a bit of intent and put a bit of pressure back on the bowlers,” he added.

If Konsta make the playing XI, a highly likely event, the teenager will become Australia’s youngest Test debutant since Pat Cummins, who debuted at 18 years and 193 days against South Africa in 2011. Though young, Konstas is coming to the MCG at the back of a splendid batting display in the summer. The batter hit back-to-back centuries against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield, becoming the youngest to achieve the milestone since Ricky Ponting. His standout century at the Manuka Oval against India in the pink-ball practice match before the Adelaide Test also bolstered his case for selection.