Fearless Konstas slams 60 as Australia gain the upper hand against India

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Fearless young opener Sam Konstas hit an entertaining 60 on his debut for Australia on Thursday and showed little respect for the Indian pace bowlers in the opening session of the fourth Test.

After captain Pat Cummins won the toss on a sweltering day, the visitors were 112-1 at lunchtime at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Usman Khawaja was on 38 not out and Marnus Labuschagne was on 12 after Ravindra Jadeja’s spin accounted for the 19-year-old.

The five-match series is tied 1-1 after India won by 295 runs in Perth before being beaten by 10 wickets in Adelaide. The rain-affected third Test in Brisbane has been drawn.

All eyes were on Konstas after he was called up in place of the sacked Nathan McSweeney.

Australia’s youngest ever opener picked a menacing Jasprit Bumrah’s first over and survived despite the Indian spearhead repeatedly hitting the bat.

But he kept his focus and scored his first Test runs in Bumrah’s next over with a gentle strike through backward square leg.

Konstas said before the match that he had a plan to take on Bumrah and when he set his eyes on it, he smashed him incredibly with two fours and a six in one over, bringing the crowd to life.

A frustrated Virat Kohli once clashed violently with him and they exchanged words, but the teenager was unfazed and smashed 18 off the next Bumrah, including another six.

He completed his half-century off just 52 balls, including two from Mohammed Siraj – the third fastest on debut for Australia.

At the other end, Khawaja, who was twice the age of his opening partner, was content to be the support act and claimed 38 off 73 balls.

Konstas was eventually undone by Jadeja, tucking in his left hand to end a memorable innings, with the teenager receiving a standing ovation after his 65-ball knock.

Australia made two changes for the game, with seamer Scott Boland also replacing the injured Josh Hazlewood, while India dropped number three Shubman Gill in favor of Washington Sundar as their second spin option.

mp/pbt