Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has defended his players after being accused by Australia head coach Andrew McDonald of celebrating in front of opening batsman Sam Konstas in an “intimidating” manner. The youngster was involved in a clash with Jasprit Bumrah in the Day 2 finale and soon earned the ire of the rest of the team as well.
Just after the Indian captain dismissed Usman Khawaja to end the day, the entire contingent gathered around Konstas to celebrate in his face.
“My conversation with him was about whether he was okay. Clearly the way India celebrated it was quite intimidating. It is clearly within the laws of the game, the rules and regulations. No charges have been laid, but to have an opposition swarming around the no’s “With a striker like that, we have a duty of care to our player to make sure he’s okay and in a mental space to go out there and perform,” Andrew McDonald said during the press conference after Day 2 (via ESPN Cricinfo)
Gambhir, however, disagreed with McDonald’s claims and stated that there was nothing intimidating in the way India celebrated Khawaja’s dismissal. He also added that Konstas unnecessarily interfered in a situation and paid the price for it.
“It’s a tough sport played by tough men. You can’t be that soft. As simple as it can be. I don’t think there’s anything intimidating about it. I had no right to be talking to Jasprit Bumrah when Khawaja was around.” getting involved with Bumrah when Usman was batting, that was the umpire’s job,” Gambhir said during the post-match press conference after the Sydney Test (via RevSportz).
Konstas was already on India’s radar after his infamous altercation with Virat Kohli during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the subsequent theatrics.
“I don’t think that’s illegal, but some people really get offended by it” – Pat Cummins on Sam Konstas
The young opener made a big difference after coming into the game midway through the series, replacing Nathan McSweeney.
Like the head coach, Konstas received backing from captain Pat Cummins following his performances after joining the team.
“You’re allowed to walk with your shoulders back and play some cricket shots. I don’t think that’s illegal, but some people really get offended by it and want to put it back in its place,” Cummins said at the press conference afterwards. to the match in Sydney (via 7Cricket)
Konstas is likely to retain his place on the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka as Australia continue to blood him in time for the Ashes at the end of 2025.
Edited by Vaishnavi Iyer.