'I Don't Think Anyone Has Treated Jasprit Bumrah Like That': Ravi Shastri Compares Sam Konstas With Indian Legend
Photo : AP
Sam Konstas had an unforgettable Test debut as the Australian youngster struck a well made half century against India on the Boxing Day in Melbourne. The 19 year old replaced Nathan McSweeney in the squad for the last two Test matches.
Konstas backed his reputation with an excellent 60 of 65 balls and especially his way of handling the dangerous Jasprit Bumrah was particularly impressive. Bumrah almost got the youngster very early in the innings but once Konstas survived he decided to take on the bowler.
He even reverse scooped Bumrah for two over boundaries and the 31 year old fast bowler conceded 18 runs in an over for the first time in his career. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri heaped praises on Konstas claiming no other batter in the world treated Bumrah like this.
In an interaction with Star Sports, Shastri said, "I don't think anyone has treated Bumrah like that in any format of the game, let alone red-ball cricket. For him to go out there with that swagger and attempt some outrageous shots--it was something else. He tore that MCC coaching manual to shreds. At one point, it felt like India had run out of ideas. They actually didn't know what hit them."
"Initially, he missed the first two shots, and there was a smile on the faces of the Indian players. They thought, 'If he takes chances, we'll get him quickly.' But as soon as this started happening, all the smiles disappeared. The ideas disappeared."
He also compared the opener with Virender Sehwag.
"I'd say he'll have his odd failures with the way he plays and the chances he takes. It reminds me a lot of Virender Sehwag when he first burst onto the scene. He'll entertain when he gets going, and he's born to entertain. If he plays for any length of time for Australia, he'll do exactly that."
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