As the series approaches its final Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), it is Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey who shed light on Test debutant Sam Konstas' thrilling Melbourne exploits, saying the youngster played a style of cricket that was probably new to the Indian team.
At 19, Konstas was a surprise inclusion for the Melbourne Test, but he quickly justified his selection with a counterattacking half-century on day one.
His fearless approach saw him take on pacer Jasprit Bumrah, scoring 33 runs off 34 balls during India's premier pacer's pening spell. The highlight was an audacious series of ramp shots, including three boundaries in a single over.
"I was a spectator that first session; I probably had the emotions of the 90,000 that were there. At times I couldn't watch it, at times I was cheering." Caret told reporters on Wednesday.
The top order had been a failure in the initial three Tests and Usman Khawaja along with Nathan McSweeney struggled to get easy runs. With Konstas in the playing XI, it was something of a different feel to the opening partnership.
"Just the energy he brought, it was something different. He probably wasn't expecting that amount of difference, but he played a style of cricket that was probably new to India as well.".
"We will wait and see how he performs here. That is not perhaps his template in every Test game, but if he can look to throw some punches early, get a little momentum for ourselves, then possibly the opening wicket was that intensity missing, perhaps.".
"I thought Nathan and Usman got us through tough situations as well by facing lots of balls. Sam was able to score a little bit, so hopefully another opportunity in front of his home fans," he said.
Konstas' incendiary debut was not without controversy. The shoulder-barge with Indian star Virat Kohli on day one sparked heated discussions. Kohli was fined 20 percent of his match fee for the incident, but the handshake between the two players signalled that tempers had cooled.
"I think I saw a photo of them shaking hands and a little tap on the back. It's Test cricket. Sam didn't take it to heart," Carey said.
Australia is leading the series 2-1 and is on the brink of reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which has been India's for nearly a decade. A win at the SCG would not only seal the series but would ensure qualification for the World Test Championship final against South Africa in June at Lord's.
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