Jasprit Bumrah’s knack for producing game-changing deliveries in crucial moments kept India in contention after Australia’s top-order, led by debutant teenager Sam Konstas’ dazzling half-century, powered the hosts to 311/6 on Day 1 of the fourth Test on Thursday.
Konstas’ audacious 60 off 65 balls thrilled a near-capacity crowd of over 80,000 at the MCG during a humid morning session. Bumrah’s (3/75 in 21 overs) brilliant dismissal of Travis Head (0) had the crowd chanting “Boom, Boom, Booooomraaaaaaah” as his deceptive length ended Head’s stay.
Head, coming off consecutive centuries, misjudged a slightly fuller Bumrah delivery, shouldering arms expecting a higher bounce. The 66.2-over-old Kookaburra nipped back to clip the off bail. In his next over, Bumrah sent the struggling Mitchell Marsh (4) back, having earlier dismissed Usman Khawaja (57 off 121) with a well-directed bouncer post-lunch.
Australia dominated the first two sessions, with experienced batters Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne (72 off 145), and Steve Smith (68* off 111) hitting fifties.
The final session, however, was all about Bumrah’s brilliance. The Indian pace spearhead stemmed Australia’s charge, which had threatened to take the game away from India.
Bumrah now has 24 wickets in the series. With Mohammed Siraj (0/69 in 15 overs) looking out of sorts, Bumrah received little support apart from Washington Sundar’s (1/37 in 12 overs) disciplined off-spin.
Akash Deep (1/59 in 19 overs) struck late with the second new ball, dismissing Alex Carey. Ravindra Jadeja (1/54 in 14 overs) was expensive despite removing Konstas, while all-rounder Nitish Reddy was sparingly used before the second new ball.
‘Sam Jams at the G’
The morning belonged to 19-year-old Sam Konstas from New South Wales. The debutant showed no nerves during his scintillating innings, which included two sixes off Bumrah.
Konstas wasn’t shy of engaging in a heated moment with Virat Kohli after a shoulder brush sparked a brief exchange. Notably, he became the first player to hit Bumrah for a six in Tests since Cameron Green did so in 2021, a span of over 4,000 deliveries.
Konstas showcased flair with a lap scoop for six and a reverse lap scoop for four, followed by a commanding six over mid-on. His aggressive batting allowed his experienced opening partner Khawaja to settle and reach a steady half-century.
However, Khawaja’s dismissal would frustrate him. Attempting to pull a Bumrah bouncer in the post-lunch session, he mistimed it straight to KL Rahul. The 89-run stand between Khawaja and Konstas ensured Labuschagne and Smith could build patiently, with Smith carrying Australia’s hopes into Day 2.