Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg has criticized head coach Andrew McDonald for his comments on India’s “intimidating” celebration towards rookie opener Sam Konstas in the Sydney Test. Brad Hogg dismissed Andrew McDonald’s comments, saying calling it bullying is too much.
The controversy unfolded during the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy following the dismissal of Usman Khawaja in Australia’s first innings. Jasprit Bumrah and Sam Konstas had a verbal exchange before the dismissal. Bumrah looked intently at Konstas after taking the wicket on the last ball of Day 1.
The way India celebrated it was quite intimidating – Andrew McDonald
The Indian players, visibly excited, celebrated Khawaja’s wicket by standing in front of Konstas, who was on the non-striker’s side. Andrew McDonald criticized India’s celebration following Khawaja’s dismissal, saying: “Clearly the way India celebrated him was quite intimidating.”
Australia secured a 3-1 victory in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Sam Konstas scored 113 runs in four innings at an average of 28.25. Konstas is expected to keep his place in the team for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka as Australia aim to prepare him for the home Ashes series in late 2025.
That’s going too far – Brad Hogg
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Brad Hogg disagreed with Andrew McDonald’s comments. Hogg noted that Konstas had previously taken to sledging Indian batsmen. The former cricketer said Konstas should be prepared to receive similar treatment in return.
“For the coach to come out and say that the Indian players were bullying Konstas and that there is a mental health issue there, I think that’s going too far,” Hogg said on his YouTube channel.
“If you want to say a few words to the opposing team, you want to hit balls for four, walk down and serve the bowler as he walks back to the mark, you’re going to have to sit there and deal with it on the way back too,” he added.
Sam Konstas made a dramatic debut in the Test series, which included a controversial shoulder incident with Virat Kohli during the Boxing Day Test. Following the altercation, Kohli was fined 20% of the match fee and given a demerit point.
The coach should not talk about Indian bullying – Brad Hogg
Brad Hogg said Andrew McDonald should focus on preparing his players for these types of incidents, rather than publicly defending them. Hogg further stated that McDonald should not discuss India’s “bullying” but should instead train Konstas on how to respond to the opposition’s actions.
“The coach should not talk about Indian bullying. The coach should talk to his player about how he is going to handle retaliation from the opposing team instead of defending him, because if you want to make it known, you have to do it.” remove it too,” Hogg added in the same video.
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