"If he can get through the first spell from Jasprit Bumrah" - Former Australia pacer predicts a big score from Sam Konstas in BGT 2024-25 4th Test 

Former Australia bowler Damien Fleming believes debutant Sam Konstas can make a huge impact in the batting unit if he survives Jasprit Bumrah's opening spell with the new ball in the fourth Border-Gavaskar series Test. The youngster was named in the squad for the final two Tests, replacing Nathan McSweeney in the process, and will make his debut in the upcoming Boxing Day Test.

Konstas has been brought on to instill some positivity at the top of the order, an area where Australia have been lagging. With the earlier top-order trio of Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, and Marnus Labuschagne unable to keep the scoreboard ticking, particularly against Bumrah, the selectors made the bold call to mix things up midway through the series.

The 19-year-old comes with a great reputation as well as form. He recently slammed a hundred against India in the pink ball warm-up clash in Canberra.

Fleming noted how Konstas' lively approach can benefit the rest of the under-pressure top-order.

"If he can get through the first spell from Jasprit Bumrah, I think he can succeed first up even though it’s going to be a massive contest," Fleming wrote in his column for The Roar.

"Konstas is an attacking batter which helps with Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne being more of the accumulator type. He looks like he can take down bowling. And most importantly of all, he’s a specialist opener. you could see from his half-century in the BBL last week that he’s got the potential to be a three-format player for Australia." the former bowler added.

Konstas had revealed that he has certain plans to counter the threat posed by Bumrah, but refused to divulge them.

“I do, I’m not going to say what it is, just trying to put pressure back on the bowlers," Konstas told reporters recently (via The Guardian).

He is in line to become the fourth youngest Test debutant in Australian cricketing history.

"He won’t be overawed by the occasion" - Damien Fleming on Sam Konstas

Sam Konstas had brushed off any concerns about nerves during his pre-match interactions with the media. He is expected to begin his journey in international cricket in front of a packed MCG against a potent bowling unit, with a series on the line.

"Imagine walking out to make your debut in front of 90,000 on Boxing Day. He won’t be overawed by the occasion," Fleming opined in his column.

"If he can make a decent fist of these next two Tests, he can then go to Sri Lanka where I think opening is probably the best place to bat. And then the West Indies so he could have a real good build-up for the Ashes next year with plenty of Tests," he elaborated.

The fourth Test between India and Australia is scheduled to begin on Thursday, December 26, in Melbourne. The series is well poised at 1-1, with a couple of matches remaining.