Fireworks were guaranteed when Aussie young gun Sam Konstas took on the might of Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli – and it was the Indian stars who had the last laugh.
Their smiles later turned to frowns when Bumrah was sent to a nearby hospital for scans on a mystery injury.
Earlier on Saturday, Konstas was out for 23 on day two of the fifth Test in Sydney after paceman Mohammed Siraj tempted him into a drive.
Collectively the tourists celebrated wildly, with the teenager left humbled as he made his way back to the pavilion.
Kohli could be seen screaming gleefully as he went past Konstas – and Yashasvi Jaiswal was spotted behind the stumps waving both hands in the air with glee after holding the chance.
It was the same gesture Konstas used to get under India’s skin during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne -and Kohli couldn’t wait to mock Konstas with the same gesture.
Mohammed Siraj celebrates with teammates after dismissing Sam Konstas at the SCG
Collectively the tourists celebrated wildly, with the teenager left humbled as he made his way back to the pavilion
Yashasvi Jaiswal was spotted behind the stumps waving both hands in the air with glee after holding onto the chance from Sam Konstas
In what was an eventful first session, Steve Smith then fell just short of his coveted personal milestone – 10,000 career Test runs.
The 35-year-old was left stranded on 9995 runs after he was dismissed by Prasidh Krishna.
More drama was to follow when Indian quick Bumrah was sent for scans at a nearby Sydney hospital.
The exact nature of his injury is unknown.
‘He is going to see some doctors, gets scans … we will know more in a little while,’ Indian great Ravi Shastri said on Fox Cricket’s broadcast.
‘We just had a feeling he wasn’t well. ‘This could have a massive bearing on the series.’
Kohli is leading the team in Bumrah’s absence with India holding a four run lead from the first innings.
Bumrah changed out of his whites with scans to determine the severity of the mystery injury
Before he left the field, Bumrah snared 2.33 from 10 overs – including the key wicket of Marnus Labuschagne
Meanwhile, former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody has declared batting dynamo Konstas has ‘much to learn’ following his combative attitude against India late on day one of the fifth Test in Sydney.
Konstas, 19, slashed an early boundary against Jasprit Bumrah to set the tone in Australia‘s innings on Friday – and then enraged the visitors after starting a war of words with the Indian skipper.
When Usman Khawaja was out moments later, a fired up Bumrah turned to confront Konstas.
Indian paceman Prasidh Krishna was also quick to get in the teenager’s face and then Virat Kohli – of course – charged in Konstas’ direction.
The fearless teenager is already a cult hero with Aussie fans – but is quickly becoming public enemy number one with India and their supporters.
Moody, who won two ODI World Cup in his decorated career, fears Konstas’ cavalier approach with the willow in hand is fraught with danger.
‘Sam Konstas has much to learn. I hope the dressing room is offering that guidance without suppressing his confidence and youthful enthusiasm,’ he posted on X.
Rugby league identity Phil Gould agreed, tweeting: ‘I fear for this lad, if he is allowed to continue down this path.’
Former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody believes Sam Konstas has ‘much to learn’ following his combative attitude against India on day one of the fifth Test in Sydney
Rugby league identity Phil Gould fears for Konstas’ future and urged the teen to ‘earn your stripes’
This cricket fan pointed out there is a ‘fine line between confidence and boorish arrogance’
Another feels Konstas might ‘end up alienating a lot of people’ if he continues to be brash
Konstas hasn’t been intimidated by the Indians since making his debut in the Boxing Day Test (pictured, a fired up Jasprit Bumrah)
Umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat had to intervene as tensions reached boiling point (pictured) on Friday at the SCG
The fearless teenager is already a cult hero with Aussie fans, but is quickly becoming public enemy number one with India and their supporters
Konstas has got under the skin of the Indian stars as he continues to play cricket his own unique way
Cricket fan Derek Alberts pointed out there is a ‘fine line between confidence and boorish arrogance’ while former ABC sport broadcaster Glenn Mitchell tweeted ‘he could easily end up alienating a lot of people if he doesn’t rein things in a little.’
Australia’s debutant Beau Webster said Konstas is a ‘very confident young man’ who has been embraced by the Test squad.
Konstas also looms as the future given no current Aussie player in the XI is aged in their 20s.
‘The first ball when he ran down the wicket and clipped him [Bumrah] over mid-wicket there was no surprise anymore. It was just like, ‘Here we go, he’s away’,’ Webster told reporters.
‘Sam is a very confident young man. That’s what they do these days, they get after it and put themselves out there.’
