Marizanne Kapp reacts to a tweet on Sam Konstas' on-field mannerisms

The Indian team is battling to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Down Under. The visitors conceded the series lead courtesy of a massive 184-run defeat in the 4th Test match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The series scoreline (2-1) currently stands in favour of the home side, Australia, going into the 5th and final Test of the series at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from 3rd January 2025 (Friday).

Regular skipper Rohit Sharma made the bold decision to take the bench as Jasprit Bumrah assumed the leadership role. Skipper Jasprit Bumrah (22 off 17 balls) chipped in with handy runs towards the back end of the innings, taking India’s total close to the 200-run mark after he won the toss and opted to bat first on a lush green pitch with a thick covering of grass laid out for the final game at the SCG.

India was eventually bundled out for 185 in 72.2 overs, leaving a challenging few overs on the first day’s play for the Australian batters to survive. The 27-year-old left-handed wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant top-scored with a gritty and resilient knock of 40 off 98 balls. Scott Boland (20-8-31-4) and Mitchell Starc (18-5-49-3) spearheaded the Australian attack, triggering India’s collapse.

The Australian openers, Usman Khawaja and the 19-year-old young sensation Sam Konstas, got off to a cautious and watchful start. In the final over of the day’s play, Sam Konstas added another chapter to the on-field banter saga. The Australian opening duo did everything to ensure that the 3rd over of the 2nd innings, bowled by the stand-in Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah, became the final over of the day. Khawaja and Konstas spurred the Indian captain by stopping him midway in his run-up.

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The incident led to a heated exchange between players from both sides. It culminated with Usman Khawaja’s downfall, as Jasprit Bumrah had the last laugh by dismissing the experienced left-handed batter on the final ball of the day’s play. This shifted momentum firmly back towards India heading into a crucial Day 2 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

“Konstas may soon become the most disliked player in both dressing rooms if he doesn’t reign himself in very quickly. There’s a fine line between confidence and boorish arrogance,” commented a user on X (formerly known as Twitter). Agreeing with this sentiment, veteran South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp expressed similar thoughts in a brief response.