Former Indian international Dinesh Karthik says a young Australian S’observe is ‘predetermined at a different level’ in its efforts to counter Indian bowling in the ongoing campaign Frontier-Gavaskar Trophy.
On the first day of the fifth test, Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah leads in absence of Rohit Sharmaperhaps surprisingly chose to bat first on an overcast morning on a Sydney green wicket.
The tourists were rocked early on when KL Rahul was bowled out by Mitchell Starc for four in the fifth over and his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal followed him to the pavilion three overs later.
The innings never really got going as India were eventually bowled out for a paltry 185, with Rishabh Pant leading the way with an unusually patient 40. Bumrah, batting at No. 10, registered the third highest score in the innings and the highest. by an Indian skipper in the series with 22 off 17 balls, as he indulged in bowling in search of quick runs in the final session.
On the Chat de Cricbuzz On the show, broadcaster Harsha Bhogle asked Karthik if India could have batted a little more aggressively, like Bumrah did towards the end, Karthik said, “Tell me Harsha, do you think the Can hitters hit like Bumrah can, with absolute gay abandon? It is difficult to a certain extent. He just hopes that the ball hits his bat somewhere and if it hits the middle of the bat, he scores a boundary.
Dinesh Karthik: As soon as Konstas comes out, it will look stupid
Karthik then paused to bring up 19-year-old Australian opener Sam Konstas, saying the youngster was “absolutely working” in his efforts to stave off the threat of Bumrah as India’s bowling spearhead.
“As I speak, I’m thinking about what Sam Konstas is doing, which is absolutely laborious right now,” he said. “Where he goes out… he plays one ball normally, the rest he goes out or comes back – predetermining it at a different level. The game plan is to try to deter the pitcher, it will look positive if he keeps hitting, but as soon as he gets out it will look stupid.
“That’s the beautiful thing, there’s a fine line between being, like I said, sexy and stupid, and that’s always the result.”
Read more: Before Bumrah: Curtly Ambrose bracelet request backfired in Australia
Konstas stole the show on his Test debut last week at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, scoring a quick 60 as he took the attack to Bumrah in particular, who tormented the Australian batting line-up in this series – even when reversing it several times.
Also on Friday, when Australia came into bat for three overs, he charged the wicket towards the pacer from the very first ball of the innings and hit him for four. Konstas and Bumrah were then also involved in a war of words which culminated in the wicket of Usman Khawaja. at the last ball of the first day.
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