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Australia coach Andrew McDonald's comment about the Indian team intimidating Sam Konstas, according to former spinner Brad Hogg, went a bit too far. During the Sydney Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Konstas got into a fight with India captain Jasprit Bumrah. However, Bumrah dismissed Usman Khawaja off the very next ball to get his retribution and threw a huge celebration in front of the young opener.
Hogg on McDonald's comment
McDonald entered with the claim that the visitors were attempting to scare the 19-year-old after the entire Indian team would engaged in the celebration. On his YouTube channel, Hogg expressed his opinion that the Australian coach's claim was a little unrealistic. Additionally, the former spinner stated that Konstas would receive the same treatment that he had previously administered.
"The coach coming out and saying that the Indian players were intimidating Konstas and there is a mental health issue there, I think that is taking it a little bit too far. If you want to say a few words to the opposition team, you want to hit balls for four, walk down and give the bowler a serve while he is walking back to the mark, you are going to have to sit there and cop it on the way back as well," said Hogg.
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Hogg continued by saying that rather than discussing the intimidation the Indian team was delivering, McDonald ought to be discussing with his players how to deal with the opposition's reaction.
"The coach should not be talking about the Indian intimidation. The coach should be talking to his player about how he is going to handle the retaliation from the opposition team rather than defending him because if you want to give it out, you've got to take it back as well," said Hogg.
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir would also address the issue, stating that only tough players can play the game and cannot be "too soft."
