Sam Konstas: Australian debutant says his onslaught of ramps against Jasprit Bumrah was premeditated

Sam Konstas’ stunning onslaught of ramp shots against legendary quick Jasprit Bumrah was part of a premeditated ploy, the Australian debutant has revealed.

Konstas tried the audacious stroke twice before he got hold of one, but then nailed two in a row — first a boundary and then a six — as he became the first Australian top-order batter to turn the heat up on Bumrah.

The teen sensation had been coy about his plans to India’s paceman in the build-up, but they became clear just minutes into the Boxing day Test.

He said he wanted to pull the new-ball tormentor off the line that has strangled the rest of Australia’s batters.

“He’s a legend of the game obviously so I was trying to put a bit of pressure on him and it paid off today,” Konstas said after scoring 60 off 65 balls.

“I’m always challenging myself, trying to get the best out of myself, so just getting into that contest with him and bringing him off his lines.

“It was definitely premeditated, especially with the pace, I just wanted to watch it hard on my bat.

“I got a few away today and changed the field, which was good and then try to (get him to) bowl to my zones.”

Konstas tried the shot off the 11th and 14th balls he faced. His debut knock would almost certainly be lamented if they had claimed his wicket, but he said he was able to put that to one side.

“It probably would look silly if I did get out, but I work pretty hard on that shot and I feel like it’s probably a safe shot for me really,” he said.

“I think that’s the beauty about being young and probably a bit naive.

“Put pressure back on the bowlers is the best way I think and I was lucky enough to get a few runs today.”

Konstas hit Bumrah for another six over long-on later in his innings. It was the first maximum Bumrah had conceded since 2021 and in just one knock, the 19-year-old levelled Jos Butler as the only players to hit him for two sixes.