Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg has criticized head coach Andrew McDonald over his comments about India’s ‘scary’ celebration of opener Sam Konstas in the Sydney Test. Brad Hogg dismissed Andrew McDonald’s comments, saying that calling it intimidation was a bit too far.
Controversy developed during the fifth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test after Usman Khawaja’s dismissal in Australia’s first innings. Jasprit Bumrah and Sam Konstas were involved in a verbal exchange before the dismissal. Bumrah stared down Konstas intensely after getting a wicket on the last ball of Day 1.
The way India celebrated was quite terrifying – Andrew McDonald
The Indian players, visibly pumped, celebrated Khawaja’s wicket by standing in front of Konstas, who was at the non-striker’s end. Andrew McDonald criticized India’s celebration after Khawaja’s dismissal, saying: “Clearly, the way India celebrated it was quite appalling.”
Australia secured a 3-1 series win in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Konstas himself scored 113 runs in four innings at an average of 28.25. Konstas is expected to retain his place in the squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, as Australia aim to prepare him for the home Ashes series in late 2025.
That’s a little too far – Brad Hogg
In a video he shared on his YouTube channel, Brad Hogg disagreed with Andrew McDonald’s comments. Hogg pointed out that Konstas had previously been involved in sledding Indians batsmen. The former cricketer said Konstas should be prepared for similar treatment in return.
“The coach coming out and saying that the Indian players were intimidating Konstas and that there was a mental health issue, I think that went a bit too far,” Hogg said on his YouTube channel.
“If you want to say a few words to the opposition team, you want to hit balls for four, get down and serve the bowler as he goes back to the mark, you’re going to have to sit there and counter on the return as well,” he added.
Konstas himself had a dramatic debut Test series, which included a controversial barge incident with Virat Kohli during the Boxing Day Test. After the altercation, Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and given a demerit point.
Coach should not talk about Indian intimidation – Brad Hogg
Brad Hogg said Andrew McDonald should focus on preparing his players for such incidents, rather than publicly defending them. Hogg further stated that McDonald should not discuss “intimidating” India, but should instead coach Konstas on how to respond to the actions of the opposition.
“A coach shouldn’t be talking about Indian intimidation. A coach should be talking to his player about how to deal with the revenge of the opposing team, not defending him, because if you’re going to give it, you’ve got to take it back as well,” Hogg added. in the same video.
