'It Was My Fault': Sam Konstas Admits Provoking Jasprit Bumrah, Leading to Usman Khawaja's Dismissal

In a candid admission, 19-year-old Sam Konstas took responsibility for provoking Jasprit Bumrah during the second day of the fifth Test between Australia and India at the SCG, which led to Bumrah's fiery spell and ultimately, Usman Khawaja's dismissal on the final ball of the day.

Despite being just a teenager, Konstas has quickly developed a reputation for being outspoken and competitive. Initially, his brash demeanor appeared to be all confidence and swagger, but there’s more to the young cricketer than meets the eye. Konstas himself was quick to acknowledge his role in stirring up Bumrah on that fateful day, an incident that seemed to ignite the Indian pacer’s aggression.

Konstas, who made an immediate impact upon his Test debut, isn’t one to shy away from the limelight. On the surface, his audacious approach to the game might have appeared reckless, but his skill and fearless attitude soon garnered attention. Not many debutants would dare to provoke the crowd of 90,000 after reaching fifty. More notably, his fearless reverse ramp shot off Bumrah in the early stages of the match was a testament to his audacity and skill. However, his actions on the field didn’t go unnoticed, particularly among the Indian players.

Konstas had already ruffled some feathers during the series. His confrontational style, including an infamous altercation with Virat Kohli in Melbourne, where the Indian captain gave him a shoulder charge, drew criticism. Despite being fined and penalized, Konstas remained undeterred, continuing to celebrate Indian wickets in his usual exuberant fashion.

But by the time the teams arrived in Sydney for the fifth Test, it was clear that Konstas was no longer the darling of the Indian dressing room. His brash displays had drawn the ire of the visitors, and they weren’t going to let his antics slide.

THE SHOWDOWN: KONSTAS VS BUMRAH IN SYDNEY

As Australia’s openers, Khawaja and Konstas, took to the crease in Australia’s second innings, they faced the daunting challenge of negotiating Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj on a lively SCG pitch. With just 15 minutes of play remaining on Day 2, the tension was palpable. With two balls left in the over, Khawaja signaled to the umpire to stop Bumrah from bowling, attempting to run down the clock. This irritated Bumrah, who flung his arms in frustration and signaled for Khawaja to get ready.

It was at this moment that Konstas, standing at the non-striker’s end, decided to engage with Bumrah. The two exchanged words, and tensions rose quickly before the umpire intervened. In the very next delivery, Bumrah bowled a length ball outside off which Khawaja left alone. But as the day neared its close, Bumrah adjusted his approach, taking a couple of steps closer to the stumps for the final ball of the day. The ball swung away from the left-hander, and Khawaja, unable to resist, edged it to the slip cordon, where the catch was taken.

The Indian players erupted in celebration, charging towards Konstas, with Bumrah taking a few assertive steps in his direction. However, he stopped just short of the young Australian, perhaps acknowledging the role Konstas had played in stirring the pot.

KONSTAS REFLECTS ON THE INCIDENT

A few days after Australia secured a comprehensive victory, reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Konstas reflected on the events that led to Khawaja’s dismissal. He admitted that his actions might have played a part in Bumrah’s fiery reaction. 

“I wasn’t too fazed by it, but unfortunately, Uzi got out,” Konstas told Triple M. “He was trying to buy some time, and I guess it was probably my fault for stirring things up a little bit. But, hey, that’s cricket. Credit to Bumrah for taking the wicket, and obviously, it was a great team performance overall.”

In the end, Konstas’ spirited approach to the game, while sometimes controversial, reflects the bold nature that has come to define his early career. And though his on-field antics may not always endear him to everyone, his ability to own up to his mistakes shows a level of maturity beyond his years.