Aussie cricket great Tom Moody urges batting dynamo Sam Konstas to reign in his aggressive attitude against India – ‘has much to learn’

Former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody has declared batting dynamo Sam Konstas has ‘much to learn’ following his combative attitude against India late on day one of the fifth Test in Sydney.

Konstas, 19, slashed an early boundary against Jasprit Bumrah to set the tone in Australia’s innings – and then enraged the visitors after starting a war of words with the Indian skipper.

When Usman Khawaja was out moments later, a fired up Bumrah turned to confront Konstas.

Indian paceman Prasidh Krishna was also quick to get in the teenager’s face and then Virat Kohli – of course – charged in Konstas’ direction.

The fearless teenager will resume on seven not out on day two at the SCG – and while he is already a cult hero with Aussie fans, he is quickly becoming public enemy number one with India and their supporters.

Moody, who won two ODI World Cup in his decorated career, fears Konstas’ cavalier approach with the willow in hand is fraught with danger.

Rugby league identity Phil Gould fears for Konstas’ future and urged the teen to ‘earn your stripes’

This cricket fan pointed out there is a ‘fine line between confidence and boorish arrogance’

Another feels Konstas might ‘end up alienating a lot of people’ if he continues to be brash

Konstas hasn’t been intimidated by the Indians since making his debut in the Boxing Day Test (pictured, a fired up Jasprit Bumrah)

Umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat had to intervene as tensions reached boiling point (pictured) on Friday at the SCG

The fearless teenager is already a cult hero with Aussie fans, but is quickly becoming public enemy number one with India and their supporters

Konstas has got under the skin of the Indian stars as he continues to play cricket his way

‘Sam Konstas has much to learn. I hope the dressing room is offering that guidance without suppressing his confidence and youthful enthusiasm,’ he posted on X.

Rugby league identity Phil Gould agreed, tweeting: ‘I fear for this lad, if he is allowed to continue down this path.’

Cricket fan Derek Alberts pointed out there is a ‘fine line between confidence and boorish arrogance’ while former ABC sport broadcaster Glenn Mitchell tweeted ‘he could easily end up alienating a lot of people if he doesn’t rein things in a little.’

Australia’s debutant Beau Webster said Konstas is a ‘very confident young man’ who has been embraced by the Test squad.

Konstas also looms as the future given no current Aussie player in the XI is aged in their 20s.

‘The first ball when he ran down the wicket and clipped him [Bumrah] over mid-wicket there was no surprise anymore. It was just like, ‘Here we go, he’s away’,’ Webster told reporters.

‘Sam is a very confident young man. That’s what they do these days, they get after it and put themselves out there.

‘He’s got all the skills and talent to back it up, so hopefully he can now go on and put us in a decent position.’