Andrew McDonald reveals Sam Konstas condition after Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli’s ‘scary’ celebration at SCG

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald made a shocking statement when asked Konstas himself‘ clash with the Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah during the closing stages of the first day of play in Sydney.

McDonald called the Indian players’ behavior “appalling” and backed Sam Konstas in the whole controversy. He further expressed surprise at the ICC’s decision not to penalize any Indian players for their post-wicket celebrations Usman Khawaja.

Watch: Jasprit Bumrah faces shocking allegations of using sandpaper during Tests in Sydney

Andrew McDonald supports Sam Konstas; blame team India

After the second day of the Sydney Test, Andrew McDonald was asked about Sam Konstas’ heated altercation with Jasprit Bumrah during the final on Day 1. Surprisingly, McDonald put all the blame on India and called their behavior appalling.

“I spoke to him about whether it was good. Obviously, the way India celebrated it was pretty scary,” McDonald told reporters.

Australia’s head coach has slammed the way Indian players gathered around Sam Konstas during Usman Khawaja’s wicket celebration and called it his duty to ensure the player is fine and in a good mental state.

“It’s clear that it’s within the rules of the game. They didn’t press any charges, but for opponents to attack a non-striker like that, we have a responsibility to make sure that our player is OK and that he’s in a free space to come out the next day and play. It was all those talks,” he added.

Is such behavior acceptable?

When asked if such behavior was acceptable, Andrew McDonald decided to leave it to the ICC to decide on a further course of action. He showed full faith in the world body and match referee Andy Pycroft to make the right decision going forward.

“Clearly that’s acceptable because there were no fines or penalties. I’ll leave that to the ICC. Obviously, Andy Pycroft was the match referee and the referees out there, if they thought that was satisfactory, then I guess that’s the benchmark we play between them,” remarked the former Australian all-rounder.

Including Indian SUVs Prasidh Krishna and Virat Kohli were pumped up after the dismissal. However, there was no penalty from ICC match referee Andy Pycroft.

What was the incident between Sam Konstas and Jasprit Bumrah?

Sam Konstas and Jasprit Bumrah were involved in a verbal altercation in the final over of the first day. The row started when Bumrah rushed in to bowl the final over as batsman Usman Khawaja rushed to ensure India did not bowl an extra over.

In that period, non-striker Sam Konstas said something to Jasprit Bumrah and provoked him to lose a few seconds. Bumrah rushed towards Konstas and said a few words in anger until Konstas also restrained himself.

The referee later had to step in to calm the situation. Later, Bumrah took Khawaja’s wicket on the last ball of the day and immediately looked at Konstas on the non-striking side. The Indian fielders were absolutely pumped for the dismissal and celebrated wildly while Konstas was still around them.