- The teenager and Virat Kohli clashed at the MCG and in Sydney
- Konstas surprised with his display on the first day of play
Teenage cricket sensation Sam Konstas got a huge reaction from the SCG crowd when he appeared to make a very rude gesture in response to taunts from Indian spectators, but there appears to be an innocent explanation for his actions.
The 19-year-old has come under heavy criticism from fans and stars of the visiting team after clashing with Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah during the last two Tests of the series in Melbourne and Sydney.
Konstas had a fierce clash with Bumrah at the SCG after smashing the world’s best bowler in an impressive debut innings in the Boxing Day Test, where he also took a shoulder blow from Kohli.
Indian fans also taunted him when he approached pacer Mohammed Siraj on the second day of play in Sydney.
Footage has now emerged of Konstas reacting to boos from Indian fans on Saturday by waving his hand in a gesture that some fans interpreted as imitating masturbation.
A cricket fan posted footage of the incident on social media with the caption: “Konstas plays in front (sic) of the Indian Fan Zone at the SCG and the crowd says “Sam is a Wa*kster”, although the audio does not feature that phrase from the fans, only boos.
Pictured: Konstas is captured appearing to make a rude hand gesture after being booed by Indian fans at the SCG Test.
The young Australian had the last laugh when his heroics with the bat, and his ability to get under the opponent’s skin, helped lead Australia to a 3-1 series victory.
However, closer examination of that moment shows Konstas holding a small white packet in his hand, believed to be a disposable hand-warming device.
The packets can be activated by crushing or shaking them repeatedly.
Konstas also appeared to make the same gesture at the SCG on Friday when a section of the crowd chanted “Kohli, Kohli”.
In 2019, then-Australian captain Aaron Finch was forced to clarify that teammate Adam Zampa was using a hard heater when footage emerged of him fidgeting with his hands in his pockets before bowling in a loss to India.
They are commonly used by cricketers, but usually in England, where summer temperatures do not reach the type of maximum temperatures that players experience in Australia.
In a dramatic end to the game on Friday, Bumrah and Konstas clashed for the first time when Usman Khawaja walked away from a ball, with the India captain accusing him of stalling to ensure this was the last over of the day.
Indian star Jasprit Bumrah is pictured sharing some heated words with Konstas after the Australian lost his wicket at the SCG.
Konstas inserted himself by replying to the conversation with Bumrah, prompting both referees to intervene and order their partner to return to their positions.
With tensions high, Khawaja was caught at second slip off the last ball of the day and India’s talismanic seamer and several teammates ran straight to Konstas to celebrate in his face.
The incident became the flashpoint of a chaotic opening day after India were bowled out for 185 and Australia were bogged down at 1-9.
When the 19-year-old was at Siraj on the second day of the Test, Kohli could be seen shouting happily as he passed Konstas, and Yashasvi Jaiswal was seen behind the stumps waving both hands in the air in joy after taking advantage the opportunity. .
It was the same gesture that Konstas used to get under India’s skin during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, and Kohli couldn’t wait to taunt Konstas with the same gesture.