Sam Konstas is caught in heartwarming scene after Australia won the Boxing Day Test – as teen sensation’s BIZARRE move after the victory is revealed
- Sam Konstas got Boxing Day Test going with swashbuckling innings
- Teenager was spotted among Indian fans after the win
Sam Konstas proved why he impressed cricket fans when he was captured in moving scenes at the Australian team’s hotel after their stunning victory over India in the Boxing Day Test.
Australia will enjoy one of their biggest Test victories before quickly turning their attention to lifting the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time in a decade.
After completing a stunning Boxing Day Test win against India late on day five, Australia have just three days off before the series finale begins at the SCG.
Konstas sent India into turmoil in his first innings, plundering just 52 balls for a half-century after some fantastic ramp shots and audacious strokes as he thrashed the world-class bowling attack including superstar quick Jasprit Bumrah.
Aussie cricket stars and pundits, including West Indies great Ian Bishop, hailed the innings as one of the greatest debuts they have ever seen – with one fan even calling for his image to be added to the country’s currency.
The plucky teenager didn’t flinch when Virat Kohli’s shoulder slammed into him – and he spent the next few days of the Test match posing for photos with fans and doing his best to cheer up the MCG crowd.
Teenage cricket sensation Sam Konstas was pictured high-fiving staff at the Australian team’s hotel after their classic win over India in the Boxing Day Test
Australia’s new opening batsman was also photographed mingling with Indian and Australian fans after Monday’s famous win
Konstas has spent much of the week signing autographs and posing for selfies after his first-innings knock electrified the cricket world
On Monday after the win, Konstas was photographed high-fiving the Australian team staff, proving he goes out of his way to mingle with fans even when the TV cameras aren’t on him.
The youngster was also spotted hanging out with Australian and Indian fans outside the hotel.
Konstas went from 6,000 Instagram followers to more than 105,000 overnight as fans went wild over his daring knock at the MCG – and that number has since risen to 219,000.
However, since the victory, Konstas has not posted anything on social media, which is highly unusual for the only teenager in Pat Cummins’ side.
Australia will win back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 2014-15 if they win or draw the New Year’s Test in Sydney from Friday.
A win for India and a 2-2 draw would allow the tourists to retain the trophy and emerge with the spoils for a record-extending fifth straight.
It will be the first time that a Test series in Australia has gone to the usual SCG final with a trophy up for grabs since India toured here in 2003-04.
Pat Cummins declared it equaled last year’s Edgbaston Ashes match as the best Test win he was involved in, telling his teammates to first savor the 184-run victory at the MCG.
Konstas’ spectacular half-century from just 52 balls set the tone for the first innings at the MCG
The young gun has not yet posted about the historic match on social media
“You work so hard for five days to win a Test match like this,” Cummins said.
“We’ll enjoy this for at least a few hours, and then it’s recovery for the next few days.”
“I’m sure the batters will get a hit, and the bowlers will be, dare I say, very frivolous.”
If Australia can lift the trophy in Sydney, it would be the first time since the 1997 Ashes that they have recovered from a 0-1 deficit to win a Test series.
It would mark a dramatic turnaround after being embarrassed by India in Perth to start this blockbuster five-Test battle.