Despite flashes of talent, Sam Konstas' domestic form -- marked by erratic shot choices and a lack of consistent runs -- has intensified debate over Australia's opening options for the Ashes.
Sam Konstas has been added to Australia's list of contracted players in a huge vote of confidence for the two-Test opener.
Konstas lived up to the hype around his talent by smashing an impressive 60 off 65 balls when the Boxing Day Test
Australian Sam Konstas is devising plans to tackle the world's most destructive fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah
Australia A defeated India A by 69 runs in the second one-day match in Puducherry, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Aggressive half-centuries from Josh Philippe and Sam Konstas, along with crucial wickets from pacer Spencer Johnson, led Australia A to victory, while India A's top order struggled.
Australia A has established a commanding 364-run lead over India A on the third day of their second four-day match in Puducherry. India A, chasing an improbable target of 365, finished the day at 28 for one, still needing 337 runs. Key contributions from Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, and Jason Sangha helped Australia A declare their second innings at 173 for four.
Australia A has announced a 14-member squad for their upcoming series against India A in Puducherry. The tour, featuring both four-day and one-day matches, is crucial for exposing players to subcontinental conditions and preparing them for future senior team tours to India, including a Test series next year. The squad includes several players with prior international experience.
Sam Harper's unbeaten century rescued Australia A from a difficult position against India A on the opening day of the second unofficial Test in Puducherry. Despite strong performances from Indian bowlers Shams Mulani and Nachiket Bhute, Harper's partnerships helped Australia A reach a respectable total of 282 for seven.
Dropped Australia opener Sam Konstas will face England in a two-day tour match between the first and second Ashes Tests as part of the Prime Minister's XI squad.
Young Indian fast bowlers Gurjapneet Singh, Arshad Khan, and Yash Thakur are set to feature in the India A vs Australia A one-day series, aiming to showcase their talent and address the senior national team's current scarcity in the pace department. The series, initially anticipated for Hardik Pandya's return, now serves as a crucial platform for these emerging pacers to catch the attention of national selectors amidst injuries and inconsistent form among established bowlers.
Former Australian captain Allan Border harshly criticised compatriot and rising batter Sam Konstas for his poor shot selection in red-ball format, advising him to "shelve" his signature ramp shot.
Opener Sam Konstas smashed a century to lead Australia's superb showing with the bat on the rain-hit Day 1 of the first unofficial Test match against India A.
As India A face Australia A in a crucial four-day match, attention centers on left-handers Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan competing for top-order positions ahead of major Test series.
Selectors will likely opt for another batter to cover for all-rounder Green in the India series and possibly an opener if Steve Smith is restored to the number four spot.
'I think for anyone who's starting out their Test career, you are kind of picked for a reason and...we know he's good enough.'
Legendary cricketer Ian Chappell has strongly criticised Australian selectors following their nine-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test at Darwin, demanding significant changes to the team's selection process and personnel.
Kumar Kushagra's composed century and Shams Mulani's four-wicket haul propelled India A to a commanding 163-run lead over Australia A on day two of their four-day match in Puducherry. Kushagra scored 113, helping India A reach 334, while Mulani's spell dismantled Australia A's batting, bowling them out for 171.
'I have idolised him from a young age and he is a legend of the game.'
Australia's young opener Sam Konstas accepted responsibility for an on-field spat with Jasprit Bumrah on Day 1 of the Sydney Test.
'Have a look where Virat walks. Virat's walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever.'
Konstas, 20, misses out after a poor tour with the bat in the West Indies, while Weatherald has been included after topping the Sheffield Shield runs list
All-rounder Suryansh Shedge has been named as a replacement for the injured Hardik Pandya in the India A squad for the upcoming three-match one-day series against Australia A in Puducherry, with Pandya ruled out due to a fresh injury concern preventing him from bowling pain-free.
Nathan McSweeney, who opened in the first three Tests with little success, has been dropped.
'Completely acted wrong': Kohli shock as star avoids ban for 'ridiculous' clash with Aussie teen'
Sam Konstas had the Indian camp in disbelief with his bold ramp shots off Bumrah
Konstas has been drafted in to replace Marnus Labuschagne, who opened in the World Test Championship final alongside Khawaja but failed to impress as Australia lost to South Africa by five wickets.
'The prospect of Konstas facing Jofra Archer with the first ball of the Ashes on November 21 -- potentially delivered at 155km/h -- doesn't feel like a fair fight.'
Konstas made his presence felt even while fielding, constantly talking to Indian batters from the cordon or close-in positions.
'I feel like as long as I prepare as well as possible, I tick all the boxes ... and then just let my reactions do the talking. Just try and keep it simple, see ball hit ball.'
Former No. 1-ranked Test batter Marnus Labuschagne will be pushed up in the order to open alongside Usman Khawaja.
Konstas revealed how his cousin died of leukemia and his grandpa of bowel cancer, and expressed hope the match at SCG would continue to raise awareness about the disease.
Images from Day 1 of the fourth Test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.
Konstas, Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft among others are looking to get into the Australian XI as Khawaja's opening partner in the series against India.
Cricket Australia has announced its contracted player list for 2026/27, with some notable changes including the omission of Glenn Maxwell and Sam Konstas, and the inclusion of Brendan Doggett.
Australia wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey was mesmerized by the way young opener Sam Konstas scored an audacious half-century in the Boxing Day Test against India, but insisted that it was unlikely to become a "blueprint" for future matches.
Wouldn't be surprised if Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas share a smiling photo post-match: Stuart Clark
'I've got a few plans against those (Indian) bowlers. Feeling like I'm moving really nice and hopefully I get that opportunity.'
Konstas heads home but not out of Test team's plans
Lavishing praise on young Sam Konstas, former opener David Warner has urged Australia's senior players to adopt a similar aggressive approach when facing Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah
Katich agrees that if Mitchell Marsh isn't contributing with the ball, then Australia's National Selection Panel will need to have a look at the combination considering the all-rounder's poor returns with the bat.
