Brad Hogg tears Andrew McDonald apart for accusing India of intimidating Sam Konstas

Former Australia cricketer Brad Hogg 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, stating that calling it intimidation is a little bit too far.

The controversy unfolded during the fifth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test after Usman Khawaja's dismissal in Australia's first innings. Jasprit Bumrah and Sam Konstas were involved in a verbal exchange before the dismissal. Bumrah gave Konstas an intense stare after getting the wicket on the last ball of Day 1.

The Way India Celebrated That Was Quite Intimidating – Andrew McDonald

The Indian players, visibly pumped, celebrated Khawaja's wicket by standing in front of Konstas, who was at the non-striker's end. Andrew McDonald criticized India’s celebration following Khawaja's dismissal, saying, "Clearly, the way India celebrated that was quite intimidating."

Australia secured a 3-1 series win in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Sam Konstas scored 113 runs in four innings at an average of 28.25. Konstas is expected to keep his spot in the squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, as Australia aims to groom him for the home Ashes series in late 2025.

That Is Taking It a Little Bit Too Far – Brad Hogg

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Brad Hogg disagreed with Andrew McDonald's comments. Hogg pointed out that Konstas had previously engaged in sledging Indian batters. The former cricketer said that Konstas should be prepared for similar treatment in return.

"The coach coming out and saying that the Indian players were intimidating Konstas and there is a mental health issue there, I think that is taking it a little bit too far," Hogg said on his YouTube channel.

"If you want to say a few words to the opposition team, you want to hit balls for four, walk down and give the bowler a serve while he is walking back to the mark, you are going to have to sit there and cop it on the way back as well," he added.

Sam Konstas had a dramatic debut Test series, which included a controversial shoulder barge incident with Virat Kohli during the Boxing Day Test. Following the altercation, Kohli was fined 20% of his match fees and received a demerit point.

The Coach Should Not Be Talking About the Indian Intimidation – Brad Hogg

Brad Hogg said Andrew McDonald should focus on preparing his players for such incidents, rather than defending them publicly. Hogg further stated that McDonald should not be discussing India’s "intimidation" but instead should be coaching Konstas on how to respond to the opposition's actions.

"The coach should not be talking about the Indian intimidation. The coach should be talking to his player about how he is going to handle the retaliation from the opposition team rather than defending him because if you want to give it out, you've got to take it back as well," Hogg added in the same video.

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