Australia’s 19-year-old Test opener Sam Konstas was shouldered by Virat Kohli in the first innings of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Sam had called Kohli as his idol but the legendary cricketer didn’t show any love for the right-handed batter in Melbourne. However, Virat spoke to him after the conclusion of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and wished him all the best for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka. “I had a conversation with him and I told him that I am a big of his batting. It was a huge honour playing against him in the Test series,” Konstas told CODE Sports.

“It was nice to see the love and support he enjoys over here in Australia. Fans were chanting his name and it was quite surreal. He is very down to earth and a lovely person. He wished me for the tour of Sri Lanka. My family loves him and he is a legend of the game,” he added.

The 19-year-old scored 60 runs off 65 balls in his maiden Test innings at the MCG. “It was amazing to play in front of the 90,000 fans,” he mentioned.

“It was a dream come true to play with legends like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Steve Smith and Pat Cummins. I am fortunate that I got a chance to play in a big game and in front of legendary cricketers,” he added.

Konstas will play for Sydney Thunder in some of the matches in the Big Bang League 2024-25. David Warner is the captain of the franchise. He will also compete in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.