Why did Jasprit Bumrah show aggression towards Sam Konstas after dismissing Usman Khawaja?

Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Usman Khawaja on the last ball of day 1 of the SCG test.

The fifth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 test in Sydney kicked off on Friday at the iconic SCG. Although 75 overs could be bowled on day 1, it was a day filled with action and thrill.

The day ended on a dramatic note – a wicket fell on the last ball of the day but it’s what happened before and after that has got everyone excited for the start of the second day.

For the rarest of instances in the game, a bowler celebrated the wicket he’d taken by showing aggression towards the non-striker! Such fiery has been the individual rivalry that’s quickly developed between India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and young Australian opener Sam Konstas in only a couple of tests.

Bumrah, the stand-in captain for the fifth test of the series, won the toss and opted to bat first on a green pitch. India were bowled out for 185 runs with only batsman scoring more than 30. Bumrah himself contributed 22 runs with the bat.

India got to bowl three overs in the last 15 minutes of play, and on the last ball, the skipper struck with Usman Khawaja’s wicket, the left-hander edging to KL Rahul at second slip.

The moment Rahul completed the catch and the Indians started celebrating, Bumrah turned around toward Konstas and charged a few steps at him. Konstas looked a Bumrah briefly and began his walk to the dressing room as the day had ended. Mohammed Siraj too celebrated in Konstas’ face. The other Indian fielders quickly came near Bumrah to celebrate with huge roars and all of them surrounded Konstas.

But the question is why did Jasprit Bumrah celebrated towards Sam Konstas after dismissing Usman Khawaja?

The ball before he dismissed Khawaja, Bumrah and Konstas had had a heated exchange as the youngster got in the middle of an argument between Bumrah and Khawaja. Bumrah was initially unhappy with Khawaja taking his time to get ready to face him. Khawaja halted Bumrah when after he’d started his run-up.

Bemused, Bumrah expressed his irritation with the left-hander. Konstas then said something to Bumrah from the non-striker’s end and the Indian fast bowler exploded at the Aussie opener and charged towards him for an altercation. The umpire separated the duo from anymore quarrel.

Bumrah was charged up even more now. Hence, he celebrated Khawaja’s dismissal on the very next delivery by turning quickly towards Konstas and staring him down. He let out a roar and a few words as Konstas walked away.

Jasprit Bumrah vs Sam Konstas: Check out the entire sequence of events here

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