Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hosted the Australian and Indian cricket teams ahead of the fifth Test in Sydney, and teenage sensation Sam Konstas showed another sign of his rebellious nature.
The Australians will regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time since 2014-15 if they win or draw the New Year’s Test at the SCG.
An India win and a series tied 2-2 would allow the tourists to retain the trophy, emerging with the spoils for a record fifth consecutive time.
Konstas shook India during his first innings in the Boxing Day Test, plundering a half-century off just 52 balls after some incredible ramp shots and audacious knocks as he routed the world-class bowling attack, including superstar fast Jasprit Bumrah.
Australian cricket tragics and pundits, including West Indies great Ian Bishop, praised the innings as one of the greatest debuts they had ever seen, with one fan even calling for his image to be added to the nation’s currency.
The brave teenager didn’t flinch when Virat Kohli tapped him on the shoulder and spent the next few days of the Test match posing for photos with fans and doing his best to hype up the MCG crowd.
Sam Konstas surprised some with his choice of footwear when he and the rest of the Australian team met Anthony Albanese.
Konstas’ spectacular half-century off just 52 balls set the tone for the first innings at the MCG
On Wednesday, Konstas was the odd one out to meet the prime minister, being the only member of the team wearing a pair of green sneakers while everyone else wore dress shoes.
Albanese shared a photo of himself with the team on social media and eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice the teen’s fashion faux pas.
“Really enjoying the whole Aussie team in cute dress boots and then Konstas rocking green Adidas sambas,” one fan posted on X.
‘That image really sums up our team, doesn’t it? “Everyone is wearing fancy shoes except Konstas who is wearing sambas,” wrote another.
Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne is a big fan of Konstas’ attitude and told the media last week that he loves his confidence.
“That first inning, watching Sam hit and the way he did it, I was sitting there with Steve (Smith) and saying, ‘We really have to see how we’re doing, because this looks a lot more fun.'”
“It probably made me think about what my best method is, rather than thinking about (technique); it was just more tactical, ‘OK, how am I going to find a way to get through this?’ How am I going to score runs? “‘
Australia are on guard against a resurgence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Sydney, with Alex Carey warning that none of India’s senior players can be ruled out.
The teenager has caused quite a stir among cricket fans thanks to his unconventional approach to opening the batting.
The Indians had a day off on Wednesday, meaning their only training session between Melbourne and Sydney will be optional on Thursday.
Friday’s fifth Test looks doubly crucial for India as a win is needed to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and keep their World Test Championship hopes alive.
But it is also important for Rohit’s future.
His form has been so poor this summer that there are real question marks over whether the Indian captain will even be in the SCG squad.
The right-hander is yet to surpass 10 in any of his five innings in this series, and the run of failures also stems from a poor performance against New Zealand.
It would be a bold decision for India chief selector Ajit Agarkar to push for the 37-year-old to miss out on Sydney, given Rohit’s status as captain.
But his batting has become a problem, particularly with Shubman Gill on the sidelines in Melbourne.
Kohli is also enduring a poor patch, his unbeaten 100 in the second innings in Perth now adding up to scores of 5, 7, 11, 3, 36 and 5.
In all six of Kohli’s dismissals, he took balls off off stump, while Rohit was a victim of opposing captain Pat Cummins in four of his five innings.
But Carey said it would be wrong to suggest Australia’s bowlers have a mental advantage over the pair.
“I don’t think I can put it that way,” Carey said.
‘You could also make that argument for a Steve Smith or a Marnus (Labuschagne) against Bumrah from the start.
‘The champions of the game find ways to go out and perform, and they are champions. “We have to be alert to not let them return to the series.”