- Teenager and Virat Kohli clashed at the MCG and in Sydney
- Konstas raised eyebrows with display on first day of play
Teen cricket sensation Sam Konstas got a huge reaction from the SCG crowd when he appeared to make a very rude gesture in response to taunting from Indian spectators – but there appears to be an innocent explanation for his actions.
The 19-year-old has come in for heavy criticism from supporters and stars of the visiting side after having run-ins with Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah during the final two Tests of the series in Melbourne and Sydney.
Konstas had a fiery face-off with Bumrah at the SCGafter smashing the world’s best bowler in a stunning debut innings at the Boxing Day Test, where he also copped a shoulder barge from Kohli.
He was also mocked by Indian fans when he got out to paceman Mohammed Siraj on day two of play in Sydney.
Now footage has surfaced of Konstas reacting to boos from Indian supporters on Saturday by jiggling his hand in a gesture some fans took as him mimicking masturbation.
A cricket fan posted footage of the incident to social media with the caption, ‘Konstas fielding infront [sic] of the Indian Fan Zone at the SCG and the crowd goes “Sam is a Wa*kster”,’ although the audio doesn’t feature that phrase from the fans, only booing.
Pictured: Konstas is captured appearing to make a rude gesture with his hand after being booed by Indian fans at the SCG Test
The young Aussie had the last laugh as his heroics with the bat – and ability to get under the opposition’s skin – helped drive Australia to a 3-1 series win
However, a closer examination of that moment shows Konstas holding a small white packet in his hand, which is believed to be a disposable hand-warming device.
The packets can be activated by being crushed or repeatedly shaken.
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 one-day captain Aaron Finch was forced to clarify that his teammate Adam Zampa was using a hard warmer 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 the summer temperatures don’t hit the sort of highs players experience in Australia.
In a dramatic final over of play on Friday, Bumrah and Konstas first clashed when Usman Khawaja pulled away from a ball, with India’s captain accusing him of delaying to ensure this would be the day’s last over.
Indian star Jasprit Bumrah is pictured sharing some heated words with Konstas after the Aussie lost his wicket at the SCG
Konstas inserted himself by chatting back at Bumrah, prompting both umpires to intervene and order their pair back to their positions.
With tensions high, Khawaja was then caught at second slip on the final ball of the day and India’s talismanic seamer and several teammates ran straight at 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 went to stumps at 1-9.
When the 19-year-old was out to Siraj on day two of the Test, Kohli could be seen screaming gleefully as he went past Konstas – and Yashasvi Jaiswal was spotted behind the stumps waving both hands in the air with glee after holding the chance.
It was the same gesture Konstas used to get under India’s skin during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne -and Kohli couldn’t wait to mock Konstas with the same gesture.