"He had no business" - Gautam Gambhir hits out at Sam Konstas after Team India accused of intimidating batter in BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir defended his players after being accused by Australia head coach Andrew McDonald of celebrating in front of opening batter Sam Konstas in an 'intimidating' fashion. The youngster was involved in a confrontation with Jasprit Bumrah in the final over of Day 2 and earned the wrath of the rest of the team as well soon enough.

Right after the Indian skipper dismissed Usman Khawaja to end the day, the entire contingent rallied around Konstas to celebrate in his face.

"My conversation with him was around whether he's okay. Clearly, the way India celebrated that was quite intimidating. It's clearly within the laws of the game, the rules and regulations. There's been no charges laid, but to have an opposition swarm the non-striker like that, we've got a duty of care to our player to make sure he's okay and in a headspace to go out there and perform," Andrew McDonald said during the press conference after Day 2 (via ESPN Cricinfo)

Gambhir, however, disagreed with McDonald's claims and stated that there was nothing intimidating in the manner with which India celebrated Khawaja's dismissal. He also added that Konstas needlessly meddled in a situation, and paid the price for it.

"It's a tough sport played by tough men. You can't be that soft. As simple as it can get. I don't think there was anything intimidating about it. He had no right to be talking to Jasprit Bumrah when Khawaja was taking time He had no business to be involved with Bumrah when Usman was batting, that was the job of the umpire," Gambhir said during the post-match press conference after the Sydney Test (via RevSportz)

Konstas was already on India's radar after his infamous altercation with Virat Kohli during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, and the subsequent theatrics.

"I don't think that's illegal but some people really take offence to that" - Pat Cummins on Sam Konstas

The young opener made a huge difference after coming into the mix midway through the series, replacing Nathan McSweeney.

Much like the head coach, Konstas received backing from skipper Pat Cummins following his performances after coming into the side.

"You're allowed to walk around with your shoulders puffed back and play a few cricket shots. I don't think that's illegal but some people really take offence to that and want to put him back in his place," Cummins said in the post-match press conference in Sydney (via 7Cricket)

Konstas is likely to retain his place in the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, as Australia continue to blood him in time for the Ashes in late 2025.