MITCHELL JOHNSON: Sam Konstas brought breath of fresh air but one innings doesn’t make a Test cricketer

Teenager Sam Konstas’ debut Test innings truly signals a new age of cricket and batting in the longest and oldest form of the game.

Konstas is the first Australian Test player to grow up amid the Twenty20 revolution and with the Big Bash on our TV screens every summer holidays through his childhood.

And whether we like it or not, the T20 style has now firmly crept its way into Test cricket.

It reminded me of how New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum approached Test matches to a certain degree, and it looked somewhat Bazball-inspired.

But for Konstas, Australia’s youngest ever Test opener, to put on that show, on debut, against the world’s most in-form bowler Jasprit Bumrah in the first session of the Boxing Day Test was another level. The way he played was truly remarkable.

While Konstas’ approach with ramps and laps was not my cup of tea as a traditionalist of the game, it worked and got Australia off to a flyer while exciting those who saw it live. My one concern is whether playing like that is sustainable.

Plus, I can’t help but think that if you’re Marnus Labuschagne waiting to bat at No.3, doesn’t watching that bring a wave of nerves if things don’t go to plan? Steve Smith said he felt like he was having a heart attack.

It’s too early to evaluate Konstas fully at the top level. Consistently facing the best bowlers over extended periods could challenge his aggressive style.

As Konstas gains more experience and hones his understanding of the game, he’ll likely find that balance between aggression and traditional techniques, much like what David Warner did during his career.

Warner initially brought a very aggressive style to his game, but over time, he adapted to the demands of Test cricket and learned how to settle in when needed.

As Konstas develops, it will be fascinating to see how he merges those aspects of his game. Conditions like those in England with the Dukes ball, which tends to swing and seam more, could pose significant difficulties for players who thrive on a T20 approach.

Ultimately, time will tell how well he can adapt to various situations and opponents, and whether he can maintain his flair while also adjusting his game when necessary.

Seeing how he performs against diverse bowling attacks and in different conditions will give us a clearer picture of the sustainability of his style.

Konstas could have been out early without scoring on Boxing Day, but on this occasion, it paid off for him. What I really admired about the 19-year-old’s innings was that he played his own game.

It’s his career after all and he showed no fear - even standing his ground against his hero, Virat Kohli, who walked past him and gave him a shoulder.

The confidence of Konstas was striking, especially with some of the outrageous shot selections — it’s no wonder his display left many of us speechless.

Honestly, I was taken aback by how Konstas played in the first innings. Initially, I thought his first two ramp attempts — both misses — were just a sign of nerves. But then he kept going for it and found success.

It was refreshing to see Konstas apply pressure to India, particularly to Bumrah. The bowler who has dominated the summer was challenged by a teenager and it worked – Bumrah seemed unsure of how to handle the situation.

Konstas changed the way Bumrah bowled. With Bumrah normally consistent in line and length, with a focus on setting up most Aussie batters throughout the series, this time Konstas had his own plan.

It may not have looked like a traditional Test match innings, but the outcome was clear — it rattled India, and they had no answers to combat him.

For a debutant to infuriate Kohli and annoy the entire Indian team was a sight to behold.

What I found amusing about India’s reaction is that they have a player who embodies a similar style in Rishabh Pant.

It’s interesting how they seem to enjoy Pant’s aggressive approach when he takes on bowlers, yet when the tables were turned, they appeared visibly shocked and frustrated.

There were no surprises when Kohli received minimal punishment for bumping Konstas, just a fine of 20 per cent of his match fee.

And before Kohli’s fans barrage me with comments about my own behaviour on the field, yes, I was aggressive and had my moments as a player. I can admit to both the good and the bad of my actions.

However, what happened on day one needs to be highlighted. The punishment should match the offence, which it clearly doesn’t in this case.

The laws are in place for a reason, and everyone witnessed Kohli making a beeline towards the debutant.

It’s disappointing that the match referee didn’t hold Kohli accountable for what transpired.

The incident again highlights the kind of impact Konstas had on the game, on India, and even on the veterans involved.

As I’ve written before, cricketers aren’t robots; we want to see personalities in the game. I love witnessing passion and some fight on the field, and everything was good watching until the physical contact occurred.

Konstas showed commendable strength and composure and didn’t back down, even in front of his hero.

He demonstrated great control by not reacting physically after the incident. He stood up for himself, with his teammate Khawaja backing him.