Umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat, centre, gestures to India’s Jasprit Bumrah, right, as he exchanges words with Australia’s Sam Konstas, left, during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Tempers raised at the end of Day 1 when Sam Konstas and jasprit Bumrah were involved in a heated altecreation. In what happened to be the final over the day’s play in Sydney of the fifth Test Bumrah got agitated and was when Usman Khawaja was not ready to face the delivery as the clock was ticking to close of the play. Meanwhile Konstas intervened from the non-striker end. Bumrah in spur of the moment was seen walking towards Konstas and both players were stopped by the umpires.
Later in the over of the final ball of the day Bumrah picked up Khawaja when all the players ran towards Konstas to celebrate the wicket. Speaking of the incident at the end of Day 2, Australian coach Andrew McDonald said “My conversation with Sam was about checking in with him. Clearly the Indian celebration was intimidating , with all of them Swarming in. So just wanted to make sure he’s okay. Considering there has been no charges on Indian team, clearly it’s acceptable behaviour because there was no fines or punishments. It’s upto match referee, if this is acceptable behaviour or not.”
“They’re charging in from everywhere … All sorts of drama here,” Adam Gilchrist said on Fox at the time. “It was Bumrah who turned to Konstas. He learns a tough lesson in his second Test match. The celebration was somewhat unique. Normally it’s hands in the air but they all turned and fixed their eyes on one man.”
Australia was left scratching their heads over what to make of it. Konstas calmly walked back. Kohli had dashed from the slips steaming straight at Konstas, before shifting course to run to his teammates. “Typical final twist of the day which will keep the headlines ticking over and ensure we all return again on Thursday morning,” ABC wrote.
While India struck a late blow, reactions on social media were expectedly partisan. Many Aussies thought Konstas had successfully gotten under India’s skin, and Bumrah’s aggro was uncharacteristic.
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