Konstas shines on Australia debut but India rally

Border-Gavaskar Trophy, fourth Test, day one, Melbourne

Australia 311-6 (Labuschagne 72, Smith 68* Konstas 60, Khawaja 57; Bumrah 3-75)

Scorecard

Teenager Sam Konstas hit a pulsating half-century on his Australia debut on a thrilling opening day of the fourth Test against India in Melbourne.

The 19-year-old opener, Australia men's youngest Test batting debutant since 1953, smashed 60 from 65 balls, featuring six fours and two sixes.

Konstas was also involved in a heated confrontation with India's Virat Kohli, clashing shoulders with the India batter at the end of an over, before departing to a standing ovation after being trapped lbw by Ravindra Jadeja.

Fellow opener Usman Khawaja rediscovered his form, hitting a first half-century in 12 innings before departing for 57 after lunch.

Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith then put on 83 for the fourth wicket as Australia pressed home their advantage in the evening session.

But Labuschagne's departure for 72 led to Australia losing three wickets for just nine runs, with the lively Bumrah removing Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh in quick succession.

Akash Deep then took the late wicket of Alex Carey for 31 with the new ball, before the hosts closed out the day on 311-6.

A crowd of more than 87,000 packed into the MCG for the traditional Boxing Day Test, which took place under cloudy skies but sweltering temperatures pushing close to 39 degrees.

The five-match series is level at 1-1, with both sides needing to win the series 3-1 to guarantee a place in the World Test Championship final.

It has been quite the rise for Konstas, who has only played 11 first-class matches and made his debut for New South Wales in 2023, less than two months after his 18th birthday.

Pitched straight into the action after skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat, Konstas was engaged in a fascinating early battle with Bumrah, with the India pace bowler beating the bat four times in his first over.

Konstas got off the mark at the start of Bumrah's second, before attempting a reverse ramp shot with just the 11th ball he had faced in Test cricket, much to the delight of the Melbourne crowd.

The teenager continued to show no fear, attempting to charge Mohammed Siraj, prompting some choice words and a fiery stare from the India quick.

He then clashed shoulders with former India skipper Kohli at the end of the 10th over, with the players exchanging words before Khawaja and the two umpires calmed the situation down.

Konstas was unruffled, smashing Bumrah for 18 in the next over and geeing up the crowd to keep up the noise, before reaching his fifty with two off Siraj.

An eventful 90-minute innings came to an end when he fell to Jadeja, but left the field to a rapturous reception.

Australia will be further encouraged by the return to form of Khawaja and Labuschagne, who both hit their highest scores of the series so far.

Steve Smith also looks well set on 68, though Carey's late wicket leaves the Australia tail exposed and sets up a potentially pivotal first session on day two.

One of the images of the day was Kohli, 36, barging into Konstas after the Australian had clubbed the India bowlers around the ground.

Kohli appeared to change direction to make contact with Konstas, who was walking down the pitch to speak to his opening batting partner Khawaja.

Speaking to host broadcaster Seven Network, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting says Kohli was probably to blame.

"That man [Kohli] might have a few questions to answer," Ponting said.

"When you're out there batting, the batsman owns the wicket. The crease is his. Especially between overs like that."

The International Cricket Council can suspend players for "inappropriate physical contact" if deemed serious enough, though it is not yet clear whether either player will face any further action.

That incident summed up what was set to be a chastening day for India, who grew visibly frustrated as the Australian top order collectively found form.

But that late burst of wickets, led by the irrepressible Bumrah, dragged the visitors back into the game.

Labuschagne was looking well-placed to reach three figures before he charged spinner Washington Sundar, recalled in place of Shubman Gill, and clipped the ball straight to Kohli at mid-off.

Travis Head, scorer of two centuries in his previous three innings, departed for a duck after shouldering arms to a Bumrah delivery that nipped back and clipped the top of his off stump.

Two overs later Marsh attempted a heave across the line but could only edge through to Carey for Bumrah's third wicket of the day and 24th of the series.

Deep then made the most of a late burst with the new ball with a beauty of a delivery that feathered Carey's edge.