Gautam Gambhir Criticizes 19-Year-Old Constas After 1-3 Defeat in Border-Gavaskar Series
After India’s humiliating 1-3 defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, head coach Gautam Gambhir didn’t hold back in his criticism of 19-year-old Australian debutant Sam Constas.
Gambhir slammed Constas for his exchange of harsh words with India’s fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, on the first day of the Sydney Test, calling the young player’s behavior “completely inappropriate.” He stated that Constas had no right to intervene, as the issue should have remained between the umpire and Usman Khawaja.
The confrontation with Constas added even more tension to an already fiery series, and it wasn’t just Bumrah who got rattled. Earlier in the series, India’s Virat Kohli also clashed with debutant Constas, shoulder-barging him in an aggressive exchange. Kohli’s actions led to a 20% fine on his match fee and au demerit point, adding to the drama of the series.
Gambhir, however, refrained from commenting on Indian team captain Rohit Sharma. Despite India’s struggles on the field, Constas’ presence seemed to unsettle the Indian team, further highlighting their mental fragility during the series.
The incident gained even more traction after The West Australian newspaper referred to Kohli as “Clown Kohli,” sparking outrage among Indian fans. The next day, the paper posted a photo of Constas with the caption, “Virat, I’m your father,” implying Constas’ dominance over the Indian star, which only added fuel to the fire.
With India’s defeat and their hopes of making the World Test Championship final now dashed, the series has been marked by clashes both on and off the field. The impact of Constas’ fiery attitude, along with the exchanges with Kohli and Bumrah, will undoubtedly remain a talking point long after the final ball was bowled.
