What Went Wrong For Jasprit Bumrah Against Sam Konstas In The Boxing Day Test?

Sam Konstas facing Jaspirt Bumrah in the MCG Test [Source: AP Photos]

Sam Konstas dominated the Indian bowling on the first session of the fourth Test in MCG. The 19-year-old debutant took the attack to the Indian bowlers and put the visitors in the back foot. 

In the first couple of overs Bumrah bowled a short of good length area and that troubled the Australian debutant. However, Konstas tried unconventional ways to put Burmah off his rhythm and gradually succeeded in doing so. While his first attempt to reverse scoop Bumrah failed, Konstas did not back away from the challenge and tried it once again very soon.

As Konstas connected a couple of scoop shots it looked like Bumrah has lost the plot. The advantage of this brainfade from the Indian genius helped Konstas and he walked away after toying with him like a club level bowler.

However, there were a few mistakes that Bumrah might have committed in the opening spell. Here is a look at some the things that went wrong for the ace Indian pacer - 

1. Taking It On His Ego 

After Konstas connected the first couple of shots it looked like Bumrah's ego got hurt. He persisted on bowling full and that in turn helped the young Australian batter. The Indian genius was trying to get the better of the right-handed opener with the length he though would work on the pitch rather than adjusting immediately. 

2. No Change Of Lengths

If we see the lengths Bumrah bowled to Konstas, it reveals that he bowled 16 full deliveries out of the 33 balls, while he bowled 12 at the good length area. Further analysis will reveal that the the right-handed opening batter attacked the most off the full deliveries. In fact, in the first couple of overs, when Bumrah concenrated on the good length and back of a length area, Konstas was quiet. However, as he tried to go full the fury of the debutant was unleashed and the fact that he stuck to the length hurt India even more. 

3. Forgetting About His Own Arsenal Of Vairations

Jasprit Bumrah is knwon for using his brain while bowling. He brings in all kinds of variations even in Test cricket to deceive the batters. However, when Konstas was taking him on, it looked like Bumrah failed to fall back to a plan B. Not much of a variation was seen from the Indian pacers and he contined bowling a monotonous line and length. Indian cricket fans generally do not relate Bumrah getting punished consitently by a batter. However, these are few things that might have led to this rare instance.

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