WATCH: Sam Konstas initiates Viking Clap at MCG, spectators groove with him

Debutant Sam Konstas has enjoyed his time with the Australian team so far. Cricket Australia and the team management faced flak for dropping Nathan McSweeney after the Gabba Test but Konstas proved his worth with the bat, smashing 60 runs off 65 deliveries in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His knock helped the other batters settle down as Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne registered a half-century each and Steve Smith made 140 runs.

Konstas looked extremely confident in his approach in the field and was not shy in playing the unorthodox shots like reverse scoops and ramps against even Jasprit Bumrah, who is regarded as one of the finest players in modern-day cricket and is currently the leading wicket-taker in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Konstas is also in the headlines for a physical and verbal altercation with Virat Kohli as the duo bumped into each other on the opening day of the fourth test. Soon after dismissal, Konstas walked out again and signed autographs and took selfies with fans in attendance.

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On Day 2, the 19-year-old initiated a Viking Clap towards the end of the 26th over. He gestured towards the spectators to join him and they obliged. Former cricketer Ravi Shastri, who was on commentary duty, said, “He’s [Konstas] soaking it in the atmosphere. He’s getting them going now.”

Jaiswal, Kohli stabilize India’s batting

Meanwhile, India had a rough start with the ball as Australia posted a massive 474 runs in the first innings riding high on Steve Smith's 34th Test century. The visitors needed a good start but captain Rohit Sharma failed to get going as he departed for hust three runs. The captain returned up the order but the move did not materialise as he was dismissed in just the second over. KL Rahul, who moved down to three, started well but departed after scoring 24 runs.

Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Kohli looked in good touch and bailed India out of trouble. The youngster registered a half-century and will be eyeing to convert it into a big hundred as India desperately need that. Kohli, in the meantime, did not fall for offside of the off-stump deliveries and he will be hoping to make the most of the start.