Sam Konstas once again hogged the headlines as India took on Australia in the fifth and final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The 19-year-old was involved in a heated altercation with India’s star batter Virat Kohli in the Boxing Day Test at MCG. He followed it up with another controversial incident on Day 1 of the Sydney Test, and this time with the Indian pace spearhead.

During the final over of the day, Usman Khawaja was on strike facing Bumrah. The left-handed opener made the fast bowler wait as he was about to begin his run-up, to make sure that it would be the final over of the day.

Khawaja’s act left Bumrah furious. At the non-striker’s end, Konstas decided to add some spice to the drama in an attempt to catch the stand-in Indian captain off guard.

Konstas and Bumrah exchanged a few words and before it could reach a tipping point, the umpires intervened. The incident fired up Bumrah as he got rid of Khawaja caught behind.

Bumrah erupted in animated celebrations after getting the wicket. He charged up at Konstas and was joined by his other teammates, including Kohli.

Reacting to the incident, former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody took to X and criticized Konstas, asking senior players like Pat Cummins and Steve Smith to guide the teenage opener.

“Sam Konstas has much to learn. I hope the dressing room is offering that guidance without suppressing his confidence and youthful enthusiasm,” Moody tweeted.

Moody also pointed out that Khawaja was in control, but was distracted by Konstas. He further wrote, “Usman had it all under control, what he didn’t need was the distraction of having to settle his partner down at the non strikers end!”

Coming to the match, India’s first innings folded for 185 in 72.2 overs on a green Sydney pitch. Rishabh Pant was the top scorer with 40 off 98 balls.

Australia were 9/1 at the close of play on Day 1, trailing the visitors by 176 runs.