‘Hopefully he comes back on’: Sam Konstas on Jasprit Bumrah battle

Sam Konstas says he tried to “keep targeting” Jasprit Bumrah during a stunning opening hour of the Boxing Day Test as he rattled off a 52-ball half-century on debut.

In the final drinks break before lunch the 19-year-old, who was unbeaten on 56, said he wanted Bumrah to come back on to bowl as he brushed off aggression from India’s fielders on the pitch.

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli could receive a reprimand from the match referee after he made front-on contact to Konstas when the debutant walked down the pitch at the end of the 10th over.

Konstas remonstrated with words to the former Indian captain after the apparent bump but showed no signs of distraction as he proceeded to take Bumrah for a boundary down the ground off the next delivery and 18 runs for the over.

After tugging the Australian badge on his chest and acknowledging a standing ovation from the MCG crowd following his half-century – the third-fastest by an Australian on debut – Konstas told Fox Cricket he was “just trying to play with complete freedom”.

“It’s quite surreal, looking at the turnout,” he said on a spider-cam interview.

“When the ball was coming down, I looked to keep targeting (Bumrah) … hopefully he might come back on, but we’ll see what happens.

“Whatever (happens) on the field, stays on the field. I love competing, and it doesn’t get any better for a debut with this packed stadium.”

After eight overs, Australia had its highest opening partnership of the series with 32 runs as Konstas and Khawaja proceeded to reach 0-89 after 19 overs.

But Konstas fell two balls later as he was trapped lbw by Ravindra Jadeja for 60 off 65 balls.

Australian great Mark Waugh said he could barely believe the approach Konstas had taken to Bumrah in his opening spell as he failed to execute two reverse scoops before using the shot three more times for two fours and a six.

“I actually can’t believe this. He’s just sending the signal, ‘I’m not intimidated, I’m going to play my way. I don’t care if I’m playing in a Test match against the best bowler in the world’. Thank goodness it bounced over the stumps and he didn’t get out to it,” Waugh said on Fox Cricket.

“I tell you what I like, that defensive shot, staring at the bowler, his body movements. He looks up for the challenge.

“He doesn’t look shy or thinks he’s out of place. He’s looking the bowler in the eye. He’s got a little bit of that arrogance or confidence you need at this level when you’re so young.”