Fleming Comments on India's Disdain for Konstas After His Clash with Bumrah
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Sydney, Jan 4 (NationPress) Former Australian fast bowler Damien Fleming asserted that the Indian cricket team has a strong aversion to the spirited Sam Konstas after his confrontation with the visiting captain Jasprit Bumrah on the inaugural day of the ongoing fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
This incident occurred in the final over on Friday, with Bumrah preparing to bowl and Konstas positioned at the striker's end. The 19-year-old reportedly requested the pacer to pause as Usman Khawaja was unprepared to face Bumrah. However, the players exchanged heated words before Bumrah dismissed Khawaja on the following ball, delivering a fiery send-off to Konstas and concluding the day on a high note.
The altercation not only shifted the momentum in favor of India but also showcased a side of Bumrah that was rarely seen before.
Meanwhile, former Australian cricketers Fleming and Simon Katich criticized India's response to Konstas' behavior, deeming it excessively severe for the young opener.
“They don’t like him (Konstas); they are looking for any little thing, and he looks like he doesn’t care,” Fleming stated on SEN Cricket.
“Not too many 19-year-olds would be brave enough to do that to the world's best bowler,” Katich remarked.
In his debut Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Konstas was involved in a shoulder bump with Virat Kohli, which resulted in Kohli receiving a fine. Konstas was also seen sledging Yashasvi Jaiswal during the Boxing Day Test. He continued his controversial conduct in Sydney, attempting to provoke Bumrah during Australia's first innings. However, Bumrah had the last laugh by dismissing the struggling Khawaja before the stumps.
“I’ve never seen Bumrah behave like that. I wouldn’t be stirring Bumrah up today,” Fleming commented.
“He’s got a bit about him, and he’s not scared to get into a contest,” Katich added.
Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj each took three wickets to dismiss Australia for 181, giving India a narrow four-run lead in the first innings.
