'Just trying to put pressure back on the bowler' - Sam Konstas on taking Jasprit Bumrah to cleaners on debut outing

Debutant Sam Konstas enthralled the 87,242 fans who came to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to watch the action on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia as the debutant slammed an epic half-century on Thursday, December 26.

He scored the fastest half-century on Test debut for Australia, as he reached the landmark in just 52 deliveries in the first session. During his innings, Konstas played some audacious shots, including orthodox scoops as well as reverse-scoops against the in-form Jasprit Bumrah. After the end of the day's play, Konstas admitted that he would have looked "silly" had he got out while playing one of those extravagant shots. However, he said that he has worked hard on mastering those hits as his focus is on putting the pressure back on the bowlers.

"I think it probably will look silly if I did get out. But I've worked pretty hard on that shot, and I feel like it's probably a safe shot for me really. But I think that's the beauty about being young and maybe a bit naive. I'm just trying to put pressure back on the bowler in the best way I think is, and it was good to get a few runs today," Konstas was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Konstas wasn't perturbed when Bumrah had beaten him on seven occasions in his first three overs. The 19-year-old said that he was getting used to the surface initially. He revealed that his plan was to rattle the legendary bowler by batting aggressively.

"I think I was just getting used to the wicket, first time facing him, getting used to his action. Obviously, he beat my bat quite a few times, and [I] was lucky enough to get a few away. But it was a great contest," Konstas said.

"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. But obviously, he took three wickets and he changed the momentum. But I think I'm always challenging myself, trying to bring the best out of myself, so just getting that contest with him and trying to take his lines away," he added.

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Konstas was eventually dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja for a 65-ball 60. Australia finished the day at 311/6 after Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith also scored half-centuries. Meanwhile, Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers once again as he bagged a three-for.