A new rivalry is emerging in the ongoing India vs Australia series, with Jasprit Bumrah and Australian debutant Sam Konstas now at the center of attention. Their heated confrontation on Day 1 of the 5th Test in Sydney took an intense turn, with Bumrah having the last laugh after dismissing Usman Khawaja.
The previous Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground had already set the stage for an intriguing battle between the two. Konstas, at just 19 years old, had a memorable showdown with Bumrah, ruthlessly smashing him for 32 runs across two overs—14 off one and 18 off another. Bumrah admitted later that he could have dismissed Konstas multiple times during that exchange but was clearly rattled by the youngster's aggressive approach.
Bumrah made a comeback in the second innings of that Test, dismissing Konstas cheaply and claiming Round 2 of their rivalry. However, the third round, which unfolded in the closing moments of Day 1 in Sydney, promised to be the most dramatic yet.
It all started with Usman Khawaja taking strike in the final over of the day, making Bumrah wait as he prepared to bowl. Bumrah, clearly frustrated, expressed his displeasure over the delay, which led to Konstas, standing at the non-striker's end, trying to get under the pacer's skin. Words were exchanged, and tensions flared. Before things could escalate further, the umpires intervened to diffuse the situation.
Despite the mind games, Bumrah got the last laugh, dismissing Khawaja caught behind on the very next delivery. Rather than celebrating the wicket with his usual enthusiasm, Bumrah immediately turned to Konstas, charging towards him in a gesture that spoke volumes. His message was clear—he had won this round.
Adam Gilchrist, commenting on the incident, remarked, “Bumrah taught Konstas a tough lesson in his second Test match.” The significance of the rivalry was not lost on either player. Konstas had made headlines by helping Australia bowl India out for just 185, while Bumrah had contributed with the bat, scoring 22 runs off 17 balls, including three fours and a six.
With Australia leading the series 2-1, the Sydney Test holds immense significance for India. A victory here would not only level the series but also help them retain the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, India’s hopes suffered a blow early in the match. Bumrah’s decision to bat first backfired as the Indian top order crumbled under pressure. KL Rahul was dismissed for just 4 runs, while Virat Kohli continued to struggle with his off-stump issues, getting caught behind for the 22nd time since 2022.
Rishabh Pant, in contrast, played a gritty knock of 40 runs. Taking multiple blows to his body, Pant fought through the discomfort, grinding it out before eventually top-edging a mistimed pull. The lower middle order failed to provide much support, with Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja all departing cheaply. India were eventually bowled out with half an hour to spare before stumps, leaving Australia at 9/1 at the close of play.
The rivalry between Bumrah and Konstas will undoubtedly continue to be a talking point in this thrilling series, and with tensions rising, it’s clear that the battle between these two will only heat up further.
.jpg?generation=1735913786332689&alt=media)
.jpg?generation=1735746812965347&alt=media)
