‘It’s all part of the game’: Sam Konstas shrugs off Virat Kohli shoulder bump after India Test debut

Australian opener moves on from Melbourne flashpoint

Puducherry: Sam Konstas may be only 20, but the Australian opener has already experienced the highs and scrutiny that are part and parcel of top-flight cricket.

His Test debut against India in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy brought instant fame when he took on Jasprit Bumrah with an audacious approach and smashed a 65-ball 60 that went a long way in Australia winning that Test.

He reverse-ramped Bumrah for a six, the over-boundary coming after the Indian pacer had gone 4,483 deliveries without conceding one in Test cricket. Looking back at that remarkable passage of play, Konstas admits he was simply enjoying himself.

“I can’t remember, but I was having a lot of fun. It was quite surreal and a lot of things happened in that moment,” the opener, who is now part of the Australia ‘A’ team playing here, told TOI. “Bumrah is the best bowler in the world, so obviously it was very challenging as well.”

Kohli confrontation: ‘He just shouldered me and then we moved on’

His debut also featured a much-discussed confrontation with Virat Kohli. The two were involved in a shoulder-to-shoulder incident during the first session before exchanging words.

Konstas, however, has no lingering bitterness about it.

“He just shouldered me and then we moved on. It’s all part of the game. After the match, he wished me all the best for the future.”

Though form isn’t exactly on his side, the youngster doesn’t seem to have lost confidence.

“I am in very good form, pretty much smashing them,” was Konstas’ cryptic reply.