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Australia’s young opener Sam Konstas burst into scene as he replaced Nathan McSweeney in Test squad midway through Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Konstas made a statement when he played T20-like cricket against Bumrah at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and scored a half-century in debut innings. However, his graph went down and now he averages 16.30 in Tests. Now, he intends to make a case for the Ashes 2025-26 at home by proving his mettle for Australia A on India tour.
Konstas said that he does not have any regrets about his approach against Bumrah. But, he does not intend to be a one-trick pony and wants to play according to the situation.
"I wouldn't change it," Konstas told AAP. "I don't have any regrets in my life to be honest. I thought that was the right method at the time and it paid off. I don't get too fixated about what others say. Whatever I feel is right I totally commit to.
"My method is someone who is an aggressive batsman that likes to take on the game, while understanding the game situation when I do play well. It is about trying to score runs and win games.
"The more experiences I have in different conditions the more I will adapt. I have to find my method and what works best in each situation."
Konstas off social media
Konstas had a few altercations during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Former India Test captain Virat Kohli bumped into him. He had an argument with India’s pace-bowling spearhead Bumrah as well. Ahead of the India tour, the 19-year-old revealed that he has gotten off social media and does not read any comments on Instagram.
"I never had social media until I was 18. I had it for a year and now I have taken a break from it to be more present and try and get back in the Ashes squad," Konstas said. "It is just about focusing on myself and trying to give it a good crack.
"Everyone uses social media differently but I feel now is the right time to get off it. I don't read my comments on Instagram. I don't care what other people say to be honest but everyone has their opinion."
Konstas up for the subcontinent challenge
The multi-day series begins on September 16 in Lucknow where Konstas will be up against the likes of Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed and Nitish Kumar Reddy. He has faced Krishna and Reddy before but not the spinners, including Tanush Kotian who replaced R Ashwin in the squad last year. But, Konstas says he is not new to subcontinent conditions.
"I've had a few experiences in the subcontinent," Konstas said on the sidelines of kit launch at the Sydney Cricket Ground. "I was lucky enough to be in the MRF Academy last year and to tour Sri Lanka as well with the Aussie boys. Hopefully I can score plenty of runs and adapt to those conditions.
"It is about trying to be in the present moment with any game I play whether it be my club team, NSW or Australia A ahead of the Ashes.
"I got so much out of my first time in the Caribbean and facing a quality fast attack. The wickets were tough to bat on. For me it was about trying to find methods for scoring runs in those conditions and understanding the bounce is variable and trying to find another method, if I do go again."
The Ashes 2025-26 begins on November 21 at Perth Stadium. It is yet to be seen whether Konstas makes it to the squad despite a horrendous show on the Caribbean tour.
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