Follow UsSam Konstas made his debut for Australia in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and made headlines every time he walked out on the field in Melbourne and Sydney. The dynamic opener rattled Jasprit Bumrah and Co. in his first innings, smashing 60 off 65 deliveries. He was also involved in heated arguments with Bumrah and Virat Kohli during those two Tests.
Kohli and Konstas got into a tussle on day one of the fourth Test at the MCG. There was even a minor physical contact made between the two players, with Kohli shoulder bumping the debutant.
Then, in the final Test, Konstas got into a somewhat heated argument with Bumrah after the India skipper asked Usman Khawaja not to waste time. Bumrah eventually got Khawaja on the final ball of the day, and after that, the entire Indian side ran towards Konstas and celebrated aggressively. Bumrah did not celebrate but ran towards the youngster and gave him a death stare.
“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.
“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.”
Talking about his conversation with Nathan Lyon before his debut game, Konstas said, “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.”
Konstas, who has been picked in the Australian squad for the tour of Sri Lanka, said he wants people to remember him for who he is on and off the field. “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.”