NEW DELHI: The continuing Boxing Day Take a look at between Australia and India on the Melbourne Cricket Floor (MCG) witnessed a outstanding debut innings from 19-year-old Sam Konstas, drawing comparisons to the enduring Andrew Symonds from former Australian opener Matthew Hayden.
On the 18th anniversary of Symonds’ maiden Take a look at century on the MCG in opposition to England in 2006, Hayden took to social media to replicate on the parallels between Konstas’ fearless batting and Symonds’ career-defining knock of 156 runs.
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Hayden reminisced about batting alongside his “finest mate” Symonds throughout that memorable innings, which marked a turning level within the latter’s Take a look at profession.
“18 years in the past immediately, I batted on the MCG with my finest mate carrying our dishevelled inexperienced caps for Australia. He made his first Take a look at 100! Watching @samkonstas5 yesterday was thrilling, similar to I felt standing and watching Simmo batting,” Hayden posted on Instagram.
Konstas’s debut innings of 60 off 65 balls, laced with audacious pictures like reverse scoops in opposition to Jasprit Bumrah, drew comparisons to Symonds’s uncooked energy and dedication.
The teen’s contribution helped Australia submit an imposing complete of 474 of their first innings, changing into the youngest Australian in over 70 years to attain a fifty-plus rating on debut in opposition to India.
In response, India’s innings bought off to a shaky begin, with captain Rohit Sharma dismissed cheaply for 3, persevering with his poor type within the collection. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal steadied the ship with a affected person partnership, however a mix-up between Jaiswal and Virat Kohli resulted in Jaiswal’s run-out for 82, triggering a collapse.
Kohli, visibly unsettled, fell quickly after for 32, whereas nightwatchman Akash Deep was additionally dismissed, leaving India reeling at 156/5 by stumps on Day 2.
The guests now face an uphill process, trailing by 310 runs, with Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja unbeaten in a single day and tasked with main India’s fightback on Day 3.
