Sam Konstas jogged my memory of my greatest mate Andrew Symonds: Matthew Hayden

Former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden shared a heartfelt Instagram submit reminiscing about Andrew Symonds’s maiden Check century, achieved 18 years in the past on December 27, 2006. Hayden, who was on the non-striker’s finish throughout Symonds’s iconic knock in opposition to England within the Boxing Day Check on the MCG, drew parallels to the fearless efficiency of debutant Sam Konstas in Australia’s ongoing Melbourne Check in opposition to India.

Hayden’s tribute captured the spirit of resilience and aptitude that outlined Symonds’s 156-run knock and highlighted the similarities with Konstas’s debut effort. At simply 19 years previous, Konstas scored a fiery 60 off 65 balls, enjoying a pivotal position in Australia’s formidable first-innings complete of 474. Hayden famous that Konstas’s strategy mirrored Symonds’s aggression, willpower, and skill to rise to the event, qualities that endeared Symonds to followers and teammates alike.

Melbourne Check, Day 2: Highlights

“18 years in the past right now I batted on the MCG with my greatest mate carrying our dishevelled inexperienced caps for Australia. He made his first check 100! Watching @samkonstas5 yesterday, was thrilling, similar to I felt standing watching Simmo batting,” Hayden wrote in his submit.

Konstas joined an elite group of Australian cricketers who debuted in opposition to India and scored fifty-plus runs. His brisk half-century, achieved in simply 52 balls, made him the youngest Australian in over seven many years to perform such a feat, cementing his title within the historical past books alongside legends like Michael Clarke and Darren Lehmann.

Symonds’s Memorable MCG Knock in 2006

Symonds’s maiden Check hundred in 2006 was a career-defining second. Recalled halfway via the Ashes sequence, Symonds delivered a match-winning 156 off 220 balls in entrance of an electrified MCG crowd. Identified for his explosive batting, he introduced up his hundred with a classy six off none aside from Paul Collingwood, showcasing his signature aptitude. The innings, which got here throughout a sport remembered for Shane Warne’s 700th Check wicket, marked the turning level in Symonds’s profession, as he went on to common over 60 for the rest of his 26-match Check profession.

India’s Struggles in Melbourne

In response to Australia’s imposing 474, India’s batting lineup faltered beneath stress. Rohit Sharma’s early dismissal left KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal to rebuild. Whereas Jaiswal shone with a composed 82 in a 102-run partnership with Virat Kohli, a disastrous mix-up led to his run-out, derailing India’s innings. Kohli adopted quickly after, falling for 32, succumbing to his recurring flaw of edging deliveries outdoors off-stump.

Nightwatchman Akash Deep departed for a duck, leaving India at 156/5 at stumps on Day 2, trailing by 310 runs. The burden now rests on Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja to stage a revival on Day 3 and preserve India’s hopes alive within the Check.