During day 1 of the fifth Test match between India and Australia in Sydney, India captain Jasprit Bumrah found himself amidst high drama involving batters Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas. Following this, Bumrah dismisses the batter on strike, Usman Khawaja, and celebrates aggressively with a cold, intense stare directed at 19-year-old Australian opener Sam Konstas.
Tensions flared at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) as Bumrah and Konstas engaged in a heated exchange just moments before the close of play, leaving the crowd buzzing with anticipation for what might unfold next. The confrontation turned costly for Australia, as a fired-up Bumrah dismissed Khawaja for just 3 runs, two balls later in the final over of the day.
The drama began when Australian opener Usman Khawaja disrupted Bumrah’s delivery by signaling he wasn’t ready to face the ball just as the pacer started his run-up. The tension escalated when Konstas stepped in, gesturing for Bumrah to halt. Bumrah was heard asking, “What’s the problem?” as the two players moved toward each other in a heated exchange. The on-field umpire promptly intervened to defuse the tension and separate them.
Shortly after, Bumrah delivered a full-length ball that found the outside edge of Khawaja’s bat, with KL Rahul making a clean catch in the slips. Rather than celebrating immediately, Bumrah turned his attention to Konstas, shooting a steely glare that amplified the intensity of the SCG encounter.
Virat Kohli and the Indian team rallied around, celebrating the wicket aggressively in Konstas’ direction, adding to the drama. Unfazed, the young Australian opener made his way back to the pavilion amid the resounding cheers and roars from the Indian players.
Khawaja’s dismissal marked Bumrah’s 31st wicket in the ongoing series, bringing him level with former India captain and legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi. Bumrah’s achievement ties Bedi’s long-standing record for the most wickets taken by an Indian bowler in a Test series against Australia on Australian soil, underscoring his exceptional form and impact in the series.
In the first inning, the Indian side only managed to score 185 in the fifth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match. At Stumps, India restricted Australia for 9 runs with the loss of 1 wicket. With the series on the line, every session of Day 2 will be crucial, setting the stage for a gripping contest at the SCG.
