India coach Gautam Gambhir hits back at Australian counterpart’s Andrew McDonald over Sam Konstas claims

India coach Gautam Gambhir has bristled at Andrew McDonald’s suggestion his team were trying to intimidate teenage opener Sam Konstas.

“It’s a tough sport played by tough men. You can’t be that soft,” he said in a scathing response to his opposition coach.

Gambhir’s Australian counterpart revealed on Saturday he had checked on Konstas after his on-field spat with stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah on the opening day of the fifth Test at the SCG.

McDonald took particular issue with the Indian players who ran to celebrate in Konstas’ face after Bumrah had dismissed Usman Khawaja the following delivery.

“Clearly the way that India celebrated that it was quite intimidating. It’s clearly within the rules and regulations of the game, as there have been no charges laid,” McDonald said.

“To have an opposition to swarm the non-striker like that, we have a duty of care to make sure he is okay and in a headspace to go out the next day and perform.”

The incident came after Virat Kohli was fined 20 per cent of his match fee after making unnecessary contact with the 19-year-old during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Asked about McDonald’s comments, Gambhir said Konstas would have to toughen up if he wants to play Test cricket.

“It’s a tough sport played by tough men. You can’t be that soft,” he said.

It’s a tough sport played by tough men. You can’t be that soft.

“As simple as it can get. I don’t think there was anything intimidating about it.”

Gambhir added he thought Konstas “had no right” to talk to Bumrah when Khawaja was wasting time at the crease.

“He had no right and no business to be involved,” Gambhir said.

Australian captain Pat Cummins spoke glowingly of Konstas’ first two appearances in the Test team.

Coming in to replace Nathan McSweeney in Melbourne, he scored 60 and 8 on debut, before knocks of 23 and 22 in Sydney.

While he hasn’t let his bat do all the talking, with multiple verbal spats and crowd engagement, Cummins said he’s been “really impressed with how he’s gone about it.”

“I think people mistake a bit of confidence for bullying or abuse. You’re allowed to walk around with your shoulders puffed back and play a few cricket shots,” Cummins said.

“I don’t think that’s illegal but some people really take offence to that and want to put him back in his place.

“For us, it’s just bring yourself everyday. Be yourself. Go about it how you think represents yourself the best and how you want to play.

“I think he’s been really good this series and he’s stuck up for himself when he’s needed to.”