"I've experienced heaps of it" - India seamer opens up on bowling to teenage sensation in BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Ace Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah opened up on the rare onslaught he suffered at the hands of Australian debutant Sam Konstas on Day 1 of the ongoing Boxing Day Test at Melbourne. Bumrah mentioned how he felt a wicket was always around the corner with Konstas' T20 batting style against the new ball.

Picked in the XI for his attacking batting, the 19-year-old opener took the Indian attack apart for a magnificent 60 off 65 deliveries. Konstas was particularly severe on Bumrah, smashing the pacer for 14 and 18 runs in his fourth and sixth overs, respectively.

Speaking about his battle with the youngster, Bumrah told 7Cricket ahead of Day 3:

"I've experienced heaps of it, having played T20 cricket a lot, more than 12 years of T20 cricket. Interesting batsman. I always felt I was in the game. I never felt like I was far away from a wicket. Initially I felt I could get him out 6-7 times in the first two overs."

He continued:

"But that's how cricket goes, some days it pays off it looks good and some days it doesn't and you guys might be criticising the same person. I love different challenges and always looking forward to a new challenge."

Konstas smashed six boundaries and two maximums during his knock to stun the Indian bowlers and help Australia start dominantly.

Meanwhile, Bumrah recovered from his poor first spell to finish with excellent figures of 4/99 in the first innings.

"Jokingly telling Pat Cummins that this wicket is a Christmas present to the batters" - Jasprit Bumrah

Australia Test Squad Training Session - Source: Getty

Jasprit Bumrah believes the Melbourne pitch for the ongoing Test is as good as it gets for batters as India and Australia battle with the series tied at 1-1.

The hosts prospered with the bat, posting a massive 474 in their first innings on the back of a brilliant century by Steve Smith. India responded in style, reaching 153/2 before a poor end to Day 2 saw them slip to 164/5 at stumps.

Talking about the ongoing Test before the start of play on Day 3, Bumrah said:

"We were in really good spirits. Little disappointed with how the last 20 minutes went ( Day 2) because both our batters were batting really well and the momentum shifted a little bit. But we back our batters, the wicket is really good. I was jokingly telling Pat Cummins that this wicket is a Christmas present to the batters that he has given. So we back our batters to bat deep and score runs."

As things stand currently, India are battling away at 261/7 in 80 overs in the post-lunch session on Day 3, trailing Australia's total by 213 runs.