AUS vs IND, 4th Test: Konstas shines on debut as Australia gains control on Day 1, Bumrah offers Indian counter-punch

AUS vs IND, 4th Test: Konstas shines on debut as Australia gains control on Day 1, Bumrah offers Indian counter-punch

The extravagant promise of youth, runs by middle-aged men and a spearhead’s late surge, were all on display at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here on Thursday.

Sam Konstas belied his 19 summers and made a stunning debut while his seniors Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith found their collective voice.

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah (three for 75) offered a counter-punch with a two-wicket burst. The fourth Test’s opening day had more drama and less dormancy, and at close Australia scored 311 for six in its first innings.

In the last session, Rohit Sharma’s men found a second wind. Even as Smith (68 batting) drilled fours off the spinners, Labuschagne (72) fell to Washington Sundar. Lofting the off-spinner, the batter found a leaping Virat Kohli at mid-off.

Travis Head walked in and soon retreated as Bumrah held sway. The ball nipped back, Head shouldered arms, and one bail respected Newton’s law of gravity. The Indian fans exhorted Bumrah to do one better, and he lured an edge from Mitchell Marsh. Australia was 247 for five and wobbling but Smith and Alex Carey allied well. The new ball ended Carey’s tenure but the host remained marginally ahead.

Prior to this, in the afternoon, India kept it tight before Khawaja pulled Akash Deep for a four. Later he steered the seamer to get to his fifty while at the other end, Mohammed Siraj often left Labuschagne in a tangle. The latter finally exhaled with a pulled four and just as Australia was cruising, Khawaja (57) hit Bumrah straight down short mid-wicket’s throat.

Smith got in and hustled and at Tea, Australia moved to 176 for two. The second session which yielded 64 for one from 28 overs, reflected sedate progress unlike the furious gallop in the morning, orchestrated by Konstas while an entire city seemed to be marching towards the MCG.

Once Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat, Konstas ran in with a sideways hop, skip and jump. Taking first strike against Bumrah, Konstas defended, played and missed. Soon the lad of Greek origin scripted his unique odyssey. And the missed ramp shots off Bumrah did not deter the youngster.

Between overs, Kohli shoulder-barged Konstas, words were exchanged, and Khawaja tried to be the peacemaker. The incident happened while Kohli and Konstas were crossing over, and whether it was accidental remains a matter of conjecture. But it showed the former India captain in poor light.

The philosophy of scoop, scoop until you succeed, worked in favour of Konstas. This shot’s conventional and reverse variants were executed to the hilt. A four, six and four were hammered against Bumrah and the venue, recognising a new star, erupted in applause.

Khawaja too flicked and pulled, and Konstas got to his fifty. However, against the run of play, he (60) fell to Ravindra Jadeja. Labuschagne and Khawaja then guided the host to 112 for one at lunch. It was a position that gained ballast as the day wore on.