Konstas and Bumrah Rivalry Escalates Amid Cyber Abuse
There are two words you never say in Australian cricket – and now they’ve been uttered India has completely lost the moral high ground.
The furore surrounding Sam Konstas and Jasprit Bumrah has taken a dark turn with sickening abuse emerging after the first day of the New Year’s Test.
The plucky Aussie teenager and fast-bowling destroyer have emerged as the most heated personal rivalry of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series ever since Konstas stepped onto the field to make his debut at the Boxing Day Test.
Sledges have been flying in all directions on and off the field, but the storm crossed a line on Friday night as it emerged sickening cyber abuse has been directed at the opening batsman.
In the final over of the day’s play at the SCG, the Indian quick and the Aussie youngster had to be separated by the on-field umpire.
As Bumrah was set to charge in with the second last ball, Usman Khawaja had stepped back from the stumps causing Bumrah to throw his hands into the air.Konstas wasn’t happy and gave Bumrah a piece of his mind as the two moved towards one another. The Indian star got the last laugh as he picked up the wicket of Khawaja with the final ball of the day.
As the edge was snapped up in the slips cordon, Bumrah instantly turned and stared down Konstas as the Aussie openers made their way off the SCG to wrap up the day.
Adam Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket: “Konstas is engaging, going at him. I don’t really know if it’s much of his business to get involved, the young man. He’s riled them here, Konstas
Konstas showed his aggression with the bat immediately on Friday, charging Bumrah’s first ball and hitting him for four late in the day.
‘I’m not really sure (what happened), it was an interesting one,’ Australia’s debutant Beau Webster said.
‘I was sitting next to Heady (Travis Head) in the rooms watching on TV.
‘The first ball when he ran down the wicket and clipped him over mid wicket there was no surprise anymore. It was just like, ‘Here we go, he’s away’.
‘He is a very confident young man. That’s what they do these days, they get after it and put themselves out there.
‘He’s got all the skills and talent to back it up, so hopefully he has a really good day tomorrow and puts some good runs on the board and puts us in a decent position.’
India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant also played down the situation after play.
‘I feel they had a little chit chat, they wanted to waste some time. I think that’s the reason he had a conversation with Jasi (Bumrah),’ Rashibh said.
‘He said something, I didn’t hear it, but I feel that’s the only thing which he wanted to do was just waste some time so we don’t bowl one more over.’
