The Jasprit Bumrah – Sam Konstas rift that keeps on giving, and promises Saturday will be riveting | Cricket News

The rivalry is ablaze. In flames. The cliche of ‘Absolute Cinema’ sounds selling it short – what’s going on between the ultimate cricketing Mr India Jasprit Bumrah, and the new Aussie kid bellowing non-stop on the block. Somehow ‘Test Cricket’ does it all more justice. For in the 5th Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the two gents at two ends of the spectrum, Bumrah a certified great, and Konstas, a 19-year-old rookie, have once again whipped up s last-over storm, that makes waking up the next day irresible.Here’s how this unlikely feud got testy, making them both blow fuses uncharacterically.
Rumblings of this Rivalry:
Konstas, the fast-forwarded future
Jasprit Bumrah was indirectly responsible for rushing Sam Konstas’ debut. Former international Ryan Harris had told The Indian Express before BGT began about this “19-year-old opener Sam Konstas” who though not considered ready yet technically for an international debut, was on the radar for two years from now “When Uzzie would finish.” Bumrah forced Australia to drop Nathan McSweeney to bring the Aussye Greek in. And now Konstas kicked up one right hornet’s nest, as per ABC, that ended up striking Usman Khawaja edgeways, and managed to rile up Bumrah.

Fiery scenes in the final over at the SCG!
How’s that for a finish to Day One 👀#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/BAAjrFKvnQ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2025
But let’s start at the beginning
Konstas got a call up for Melbourne, after a 100 in the PMXI game, where Bumrah didn’t feature. KL Rahul present in that match, had warned Indians of the teen’s audacity but there was little Bumrah could do to stop him from scoring a 50 in his first outing. Konstas yakking with Aussie press had been nonchalant about the Bumrah threat that had felled McSweeney. He mumbled things like he wouldn’t think much about it, just read analysts’ dossier. “Perhaps, maybe” on eve of his debut. He respected Bumrah he said, but wasn’t afraid of him. He would follow up with a half ton that was remarkable in unshackling Aussie intent.
The OG KoKo beefers – Kohli & Konstas
Virat Kohli obviously had a go at him when he was smacking Indian bowlers at MCG. A self confessed Kohli fan, Konstas stayed unfazed. In the break, Kohli even met his two brothers – who also sported the Kohli beard trim. But the needle was beneath the surface. Meanwhile Bumrah had packed him off in his first over in the second essay at MCG. So scores were clinically settled. Or were they?
Konstas’ mentor Shane Watson would tell the press he was stunned to see the combative spoilt-for-fight side of him, though his chirpiness at short leg was well known and infectious annoyance (to opponents) was well known. He irritated Indians at Melbourne as their procession began, and landed at Sydney – though not having moved on from what had transpired. Bumrah meantime was appointed captain to bookend the tour and had bigger concerns than the opening teen as his team melted.
15-minute flame
After India were wrapped up under 200, Australia had 15 minutes to fend off with 3 overs at most, and both openers went about with regulation time-wasting. Bumrah who had been a tad miffed with the Washington Sundar DRS doldrum, had been calm till this point. It’s when Konstas charged at Bumrah and bludgeoned the first delivery of Australia’s innings through mid-wicket for a boundary. Bumrah pinged Khawaja on the glove, and medical staff were promptly summoned to kill time.
In the final over of the day, Konstas charged again and missed one outside off stump. His next beat Konstas’ outside edge. A single brought Khawaja on strike, and the 38-year-old pressed for runs, left the first delivery well off. He wasn’t ready quick enough for the next one, which precipitated the late drama.
Bumrah wasn’t happy and showed his displeasure when Konstas waded in – furiously for some, foolishly for others. He chirped words to Bumrah which riled up the captain. Bumrah started walking towards Konstas and the umpire had to intervene.
“Konstas engages. Konstas is going at him. I don’t really know if it’s much of his business the young man,” is what public heard Adam Gilchr say on Fox Cricket comms. “The umpire was very quick to get involved … He’s riled them here Konstas. It’s tightened the tension here for the last couple of deliveries.”
Khawaja too – crucially – needed to ba-sit the roiling teen and calm things down, drawing him mid-pitch. It proved fatal, as Bumrah after one dot, lured Khawaja into edging to KL Rahul.
All hell broke lose
Khawaja walked off, disappointed perhaps at his last ball dismissal. Not many noticed. Because the Indians had directed their ferocious joyous celebration at Konstas. A send-off to an undismissed non-striker who had needlessly needled Bumrah, as it turned out. “They’re charging in from everywhere … All sorts of drama here,” Gilchr said on Fox. “It was Bumrah who turned to Konstas. He learns a tough lesson in his second Test match. The celebration was somewhat unique. Normally it’s hands in the air but they all turned and fixed their eyes on one man.”
Australia was left scratching their heads over what to make of it. Konstas calmly walked back. Kohli had dashed from the slips steaming straight at Konstas, before shifting course to run to his teammates. “Typical final tw of the day which will keep the headlines ticking over and ensure we all return again on Thursday morning,” ABC wrote.
While India struck a late blow, reactions on social media were expectedly partisan. Many Aussies thought Konstas had successfully gotten under India’s skin, and Bumrah’s aggro was uncharacteric.
Some called him ‘Kyrgios Konstas’ for the fellow tempestuous Aussie, while others wondered if this was next episode of ‘shouldergate’.
Former international Tom Moody though wasn’t impressed. “Sam Konstas has much to learn. I hope the dressing room is offering that guidance without suppressing his confidence and youthful enthusiasm.Usman had it all under control, what he didn’t need was the draction of having to settle his partner down at the non strikers end,” Moody tweeted.

“This is terrific stuff. This will get the crowds in tomorrow,” former Indian coach Ravi Shastri would conclude.
It was the Bumrah-Konstas rift that keeps giving.

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