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In a match filled with moments of high drama and skill, Jasprit Bumrah, India’s premier fast bowler, delivered not only a devastating ball but also an animated send-off to young Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Jasprit Bumrah cleans up Sam Konstas with a beauty
The incident occurred early on the fourth day of the Test when Bumrah, known for his precision and often subdued celebrations, bowled an inswinger that shattered Konstas’s middle stump. Konstas, who had shown remarkable aggression against Bumrah during Australia’s first innings, was dismissed for just eight runs in the second essay.
The delivery was a masterclass in seam bowling; it pitched on a good length, jagged back sharply between Konstas’s bat and pad, and clipped the top of the middle stump. This dismissal was a stark contrast to Konstas’s first innings performance where he had scored a brisk 60 off 65 balls, including two sixes off Bumrah, becoming the first in nearly four years to hit a six off the Indian in Test cricket.
A duel of antics: The Bumrah-Konstas rivalry at MCG
After the ball made its way through Konstas’s defense, Bumrah, typically reserved, erupted in celebration. He turned to the crowd, urging them to roar in approval with a dramatic gesture, mimicking the crowd-engaging celebrations Konstas himself had performed during India’s innings. This send-off was seen as a direct response to Konstas’s antics on day three when he had rallied the crowd while fielding near the boundary rope, a gesture Bumrah evidently had not forgotten.
Here is the video:
MIDDLE STUMP! Jasprit Bumrah gets Sam Konstas with a pearler. #AUSvIND | #DeliveredWithSpeed | @NBN_Australia pic.twitter.com/A1BzrcHJB8
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2024
Also WATCH: AUS vs IND – Jasprit Bumrah castles Alex Carey with a peach on Day 4 of the Boxing Day Test
Bumrah’s performance in this series has been stellar, showcasing his pivotal role in India’s bowling attack. His ability to adapt his bowling to different conditions and opponents has been on full display, particularly against a young and fearless Konstas who has been making waves since his Test debut.
