Jasprit Bumrah vs Sam Konstas; IND vs AUS 5th Test: Despite Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja’s belligerent knocks, Scott Boland’s superb bowling restricted India to a low score in Sydney. However, skipper Jasprit Bumrah’s wicket of Sam Konstas on the last ball of the day’s play gave India something to cheer about in the fifth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday. Australia ended the day with Usman Khawaja (9) and Sam Konstas (7*) unbeaten.
Australia Paid the Price for Sam Konstas’ Clash with Bumrah
The last ball of the first day of the fifth Test was also the final ball of Australia’s third over. Just before that, Sam Konstas (Jasprit Bumrah vs Sam Konstas Fight) was once again involved in creating trouble on the field. However, this time his opponent was not Virat Kohli but Jasprit Bumrah, one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in world cricket. Bumrah started his run-up to bowl the last ball of the day, but Usman Khawaja signalled that he wasn’t ready. In the middle of this exchange, Sam Konstas was seen jumping unnecessarily, leading to the on-field umpire intervening to calm the situation.
Bumrah then made Konstas pay for his actions. With his signature style, Bumrah struck on the last ball of the day, dismissing Usman Khawaja (Jasprit Bumrah Celebrates Usman Khawaja Wicket) caught by KL Rahul at second slip. The Indian team erupted in celebration, and Bumrah, while celebrating, shot a glance at Sam Konstas, signalling him not to mess with him.
After Bumrah’s brilliant delivery to Khawaja, the entire Indian team celebrated the dismissal with great enthusiasm.
AGRESSION FROM BUMRAH. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LzzUVtHCVT
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 3, 2025
Australia’s Struggling End to the Day
Australia’s openers, Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas took to the field for Australia. On the last ball of the session, Khawaja lost his wicket after scoring just two runs off Bumrah’s delivery, caught by KL Rahul in the slip. Australia ended the day poorly, while India found themselves in a strong position.
THIS IS TEST CRICKET. 🫡
THIS IS BGT. 🍿
THIS IS CAPTAIN JASPRIT JASBIR SINGH BUMRAH. 🥶pic.twitter.com/eUJXyb1NSO
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 3, 2025
India’s Struggles in Sydney Without Captain Rohit Sharma
India is playing without their regular captain, Rohit Sharma, in this Sydney Test. Rohit, who managed only 65 runs in his last 6 innings, has withdrawn from the final Test, leaving vice-captain Bumrah to lead. In the fifth over of the day, Mitchell Starc dismissed Lokesh Rahul, and just two overs later, Scott Boland took out another opener, Jaiswal. Kohli finally fell to Boland’s delivery after scoring 17 runs off 69 balls, with no boundaries, caught by Bo Webster at slips.
Rohit Sharma in the dressing room. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/xR4nX6ONAs
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 3, 2025
Rishabh Pant, who made 40 off 98 balls, was dismissed on a short-pitched delivery by Boland and caught at mid-on, while Nitish Reddy, who scored a century in the Melbourne Test, was caught by Smith at slips off the next ball.
Brief Scores (End of Day One)
India, First Innings: 185 in 72.2 overs (Pant 40, Jadeja 26, Bumrah 22; Boland 4/31, Starc 3/49, Cummins 2/37).
Australia, First Innings: 9/1 in 3 overs (Constas 7*, Khawaja 2; Bumrah 1/7).