Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has called for Sam Konstas to be sent home from Sri Lanka if he is not selected for the second Test. Konstas, 19, was controversially dropped as an opener for the first Test in Galle despite making a huge impression in his debut matches against India over the Australian summer. Konstas had an impressive debut season, earning the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year award at the 2025 Australian Cricket Awards on Monday.

His fearless batting style was evident during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India where he clobbered the world's best bowler Jasprit Bumrah and clashed heads with former captain Virat Kohli. His standout innings came during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, where he scored 60 runs off 65 balls with a range of innovative shots, including a daring scoop against Bumrah, reflecting his confidence and maturity.

Despite his form, Konstas was omitted from the squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka, sparking debate. Sam Konstas made his debut for Australia as a teenager in the Boxing Day Test against India. Konstas became an instant hero by taking on Jasprit Bumrah and scoring a half century. Former Aussie Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin wants to see Sam Konstas come back to Australia to play Sheffield Shield. Former players like Ricky Ponting questioned the decision to exclude such a promising young talent.

And now former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has called for Cricket Australia to send him home instead of keeping him overseas just to carry the drinks. 'We've got to remember he's 19 so if they're not using him for the second Test I would send him home to play state cricket, he hasn't played a lot and the more he plays the better,' he said. 'He would've had a good couple of weeks over there learning, so if he's not going to be needed, send him back home to bat.'.

He believes Konstas will return for the Test Championship and wants him to return home and play Sheffield Shield to prepare himself for the big match. 'We've seen how well Travis Head and Uzzie (Khawaja) played at the top of the order, (but) I think he (Konstas) will come straight back in for the Test Championship,' Haddin said. 'He's come out of nowhere in the last six months because he's such a high-quality player and is still learning the game. He's only a 19-year-old boy, the world is in front of him, we're going to see a very good player for a very long time.'.

Australian selector Tony Dodemaide praised Konstas for taking his demotion well and understanding the reasons why. Konstas was dropped for the two Test series against Sri Lanka and Haddin doesn't see the value in him carrying the drinks for the Aussies. 'There's a lot to like and be impressed about Sam,' Dodemaide said. 'One of the things is his ability to take things in his stride. It's remarkable really, whether it's playing in front of 90,000 and Jasprit Bumrah at the MCG or getting told that you're left out of the Test.'.

Australia's stand-in captain Steve Smith also sees a big future for the swashbuckling young batsman. 'He's going to have a lot of practice over here if he doesn't play, which in itself is great for development,' Smith said. 'I only have to think back to 2013, I think, where I didn't play the first few Tests (in India) and just the amount of balls I was hitting in the nets and the skills I was able to develop from facing loads of net bowlers.