Konstas Sets the Stage, Khawaja and Labuschagne Build on Solid Foundation
Australia's opening day of the Boxing Day Test against India at the MCG saw a brilliant debut from 19-year-old Sam Konstas, who set the tone with an explosive 60 off 65 balls. Despite a fightback from India’s bowlers after lunch, Australia reached 176/2 at the Tea interval, with Marnus Labuschagne on 44* and Usman Khawaja, who had scored a gritty 57, back in the dressing room.
Konstas' debut innings was a spectacle, as he confidently took on India’s top-ranked pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, reverse-scooping him for boundaries and even clearing the ropes for the first time since the Sydney Test of 2021. His daring strokeplay left the Indian bowlers scrambling, forcing Bumrah to adjust his lengths. Konstas' 60, which included 6 fours and 2 sixes, came at a rapid pace, showing no fear against the world-class attack. He was eventually dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja, who found the inside edge and trapped him LBW, but not before Konstas had made a significant contribution in setting a strong foundation for Australia.
While Konstas took the headlines, the steady hands of Khawaja and Labuschagne ensured Australia stayed in control. After Pat Cummins won his first toss of the series, Khawaja and Konstas put together an 89-run opening stand. Khawaja, who had been in good touch, faced a challenging period in the second session, with India’s seamers keeping him on his toes. Bumrah, Deep, and Jadeja bowled tightly, but the Aussie opener dug deep, playing a gritty knock to bring up his half-century off 106 balls.
India’s bowlers, however, were left frustrated, as Khawaja squirted a few edges through the vacant slip cordon and found runs difficult to come by. The first hour after lunch brought only 26 runs from 13 overs, showcasing the disciplined and patient bowling attack from India. Despite their efforts, the breakthrough came in Bumrah's next spell, when Khawaja, looking to pull a harmless short delivery on his hips, misjudged the ball, toe-ending it to mid-wicket for an easy catch. His dismissal for 57, off 116 balls, continued Bumrah's dominance over Khawaja in this series—making it five dismissals in as many innings.
Earlier in the morning, after Pat Cummins won his first toss of the series, Australia had made all the early running. Konstas’ aggressive approach against India’s pacers, particularly Bumrah, took the game by storm. After initially missing a couple of reverse scoops, Konstas turned the tide with three successful scoops in the seventh over—two going for boundaries, and the third sailing for a six. This bold strokeplay kept the Indian bowlers on the back foot and allowed the other batters, including Khawaja, to settle in and play their natural game.
Australia, having lost just two wickets on a day filled with entertainment and intensity, will look to continue their dominance with Labuschagne and the incoming batters on day two. India, meanwhile, will have to find a way to break this growing partnership and exert some control over the game in the coming sessions.
