Australia Coach Andrew McDonald Expresses Concern Over India's Celebration

Andrew McDonald, the coach of the Australian cricket team, has expressed concern over India's "intimidating" celebration directed at 19-year-old Sam Konstas at the end of Day 1 of the SCG Test.

India's Celebration

India's players, including stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah, "charged in from everywhere" after Bumrah had Usman Khawaja edging the final delivery of the day. McDonald described the celebration as "quite intimidating" and expressed concern for Konstas' well-being.

McDonald's Conversation with Konstas

McDonald spoke with Konstas after Stumps on Day 2 and asked if he was okay. McDonald stated that the team has a duty of care to ensure Konstas is in a head space to perform the next day.

India's Response

Prasidh Krishna, an Indian pacer, downplayed the incident, saying that India enjoys playing aggressively and wants to tell opponents that they can't be taken for granted.

Australian Criticism

Ricky Ponting and Mark Waugh have criticized Konstas for getting involved in the altercation. Ponting said that Konstas should have stayed out of the situation and let his senior player handle it. Waugh echoed Ponting's views, urging Konstas to avoid "firing the opposition up" by stepping into such situations.

Konstas' Future

Waugh warned Konstas that if he continues to behave in this manner, he will have a target on his back for his whole career.