AUS vs IND 2024-25: Sam Konstas scores fastest fifty by Australian on Test debut

The Australians started with absolute domination during the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on the opening day. The Indian bowlers had no answer for the fearless approach of the opening stand, as debutant Sam Konstas surprised them with his aggressive shot-making ability in his maiden outing in a highly-anticipated encounter.

There might have been a surprise as Australian selectors replaced Nathan McSweeney with Sam Konstas but the 19-year-old took this opportunity with both hands. The New South Wales batter scored a wonderful 65 from 60 balls which consisted of six fours and two sixes and was striking at 92.31. This also put him in the record books as the fastest half-century for an Australian batter on Test debut with regard to balls taken.

In fact, the 19-year-old became the fifth-fastest overall in terms of fastest fifty scored on debut as the batter reached the landmark off just 52 deliveries. Eventually, Konstas could not have asked for a better start, however, he might have regretted getting out for 60, not too far away from what could have been a wonderful century in his maiden outing, that too against a quality opposition like India.

Fastest fifty on Test Debut (By balls taken)

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Apart from the teenager, the other three batter of Australia's top-order also contributed with half-centuries, marking a commendable start to the match on Day 1. Opener Usman Khawaja departed after scoring 57 off 121, while Marnus Labuschagne, who joined at no. 3, too contributed with 72. Meanwhile, ace batter Steven Smith also brought up his half-century. At the time of writing, Smith was unbeaten on 68 after having faced 104 deliveries.