Marnus Labuschagne reveals how Sam Konstas drove Jasprit Bumrah crazy at the MCG - and made him and Steve Smith question how they play cricket
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Whatever the MCG Test result, Jasprit 'Boom Boom' Bumrah and Sam 'Kid' Konstas will head to the SCG level on points in their private bout. The Indian ace did not hide his emotions on Sunday when he bowled the Australian debutant with a gem of a delivery that went between bat and pad.
![[Konstas came off second best in round two with Indian master Bumrah]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/29/22/93567595-14234623-Konstas_came_off_second_best_in_round_two_with_Indian_master_Bum-a-1_1735511170218.jpg)
Bumrah excitedly urged the crowd to make more noise, parodying Konstas's gestures when the teenage Australian had been fielding. After Konstas drove Bumrah and the rest of the Indian team to distraction in the first innings, playing a succession of ramp shots on the way to a crucial 60, he was this time fired out for eight.
![[Marnus Labuschagne says the Aussie debutant got under Bumrah's skin]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/29/22/93568067-14234623-Marnus_Labuschagne_says_the_Aussie_debutant_got_under_Bumrah_s_s-a-3_1735511170219.jpg)
Just as Konstas's half-century set the tone for the first innings, his cheap dismissal as the opening second-innings wicket signalled a torrid time ahead for the Australian top order. Sam Konstas rattled India during his first innings, plundering a half-century from just 52 balls.
![[Labuschagne said Konstas's unorthodox approach had influenced him and Steve Smith]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/29/22/93568135-14234623-Labuschagne_said_Konstas_s_unorthodox_approach_had_influenced_hi-a-4_1735511170277.jpg)
Konstas came off second best in round two with Indian master Bumrah. Fellow Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne had no doubt there was a reason for Bumrah's animation when he bowled Konstas. 'I'm pretty sure the young guy got under his skin a bit,' Labuschagne said of Bumrah.
'I certainly get angry when I 'wang' them (throw downs at training) and get reverse-lapped, let alone bowl it. 'I'd say that had a fair bit to do with it.'. Bumrah's tussle with the 19-year-old opener sets the scene for an absorbing second round when Konstas plays a Test at his home ground for the first time next week - a clash that could decide the Border-Gavaskar series.
