Ashes 2025-26 : Sam Konstas Optimistic Of Making It For Marquee Series

Learning how to respond to failure is a key part of Sam Konstas’ bid to rediscover the form that saw him make one of the most hyped Test debuts of this century last December. The 19-year-old Sam Konstas was back at work in the SCG nets on Tuesday, honing his game in the hope of retaining his spot at the top of the order for the first Test against England in Perth in November.

The swashbuckling manner in which Sam Konstas announced his arrival on the Test scene, with a blistering 60 off 65 balls on debut in the Boxing Day Test against India, won the attention of cricket fans all over the world. But those heady early days gave way to a series of low scores, and the NSW batter is now working to make amends for his meagre returns in the recent Test tour of the West Indies.

His first chance to showcase what he has been working on will come next week when Australia A plays the first of two four-day matches against India A in Lucknow. Sam Konstas says the chance to make runs against international competition is one he’s looking forward to.

Sam Konstas missed out on a spot in the World Test Championship final against South Africa by a whisker after selectors opted to promote Marnus Labuschagne at the top. Sam Konstas emerged as an impressive opening outlet for Australia in turning the tide against India in their recent series win.

While the 19-year-old Sam Konstas made an instant impact in whites for Australia, ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting believes the young batter has a long way to go if he is to cement his status as a Test opener.

Sam Konstas scored a stunning 60 off 65 deliveries in his first Test innings for Australia, a knock laced with exquisite strokeplay such as a reverse lap for six off Jasprit Bumrah. He was added to the squad in place of Nathan McSweeney, who was only able to score 72 runs in the first three Tests. Both Sam Konstas and McSweeney was included in Australia’s squad for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka.

Jasprit Bumrah has been among the most difficult bowlers for the Australian batters in the series as of now, debutant Sam Konstas played some unorthodox shots against the lead Indian bowler. The latter played ramps and reverse sweep against the leading wicket-taker of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 series ended up playing an innings of 60 runs from 65 balls.

Sam Konstas, making his debut for Australia, left even the likes of Jasprit Bumrah—widely considered the best pacer in all formats—speechless with his fearless and aggressive approach. His audacity to take on India’s premier fast bowlers, including Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, not only rattled the Indian team but also visibly frustrated Virat Kohli. One of the standout moments was Sam Konstas’s ramp shot for four, a stroke that immediately highlighted his immense natural talent and confidence.

Though  Sam Konstas’s innings eventually ended at 60 off 65 balls, dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja’s left-arm spin, his impact on the game was undeniable. His fearless shot-making and ability to take on India’s top-tier pacers left an indelible mark on the contest and the entire BGT series

The right-handed opener Sam Konstas had lit up the 2024 Boxing Day Test with a blazing 60 on debut against Jasprit Bumrah and co., marked by audacious strokeplay and unorthodox flair. But after playing just one more Test, he was dropped, with critics questioning his shot selection and labelling his style “reckless”. Reflecting on that whirlwind debut series, Sam Konstas acknowledged that it wasn’t just the Indian bowling attack that posed a challenge-it was the sheer magnitude of the occasion.

Sam Konstas doesn’t care for regrets or critics. And by putting himself on a self-imposed social media ban, the teenager hunting an opening spot in a home Ashes series has ensured he will hear as little of the latter as possible.

Sam Konstas is ready to fight for Ashes 2025-26 by making his mark in the Sheffield Shield

Australia’s young batting talent Sam Konstas knows the coming month will be critical if he is to retain his Test spot for the Ashes, but the 19-year-old is intent on shutting out outside noise and focusing on the processes he trusts.

Sam Konstas endured a tough time in the recent West Indies series, managing just 50 runs in six innings in challenging conditions where both top orders struggled. Those matches were his first Tests since bursting onto the scene against India last season. With the Ashes on the horizon in November, the New South Wales batter finds himself back in the selection mix and aware of the stakes.

“It’s massive, it’s going to be a big four games and I expect that,” Sam Konstas told ESPNcricinfo on the day he signed a new four-year deal with Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League, which keeps him at the club until 2029.

“But for me, [it’s about] just being in the present moment, don’t get too fixated about the outcome and just be very process-driven in those games. Not getting too fazed about what other people say, and obviously have that inner circle that I trust.”

Sam Konstas has resumed training with New South Wales after taking a short break post-tour and will feature in the four-day leg of the Australia A tour of India next month. While selectors view that trip with the long-term goal of Australia’s five-Test series in India in 2027, Konstas knows his immediate focus is the early rounds of the Sheffield Shield.

“For me it’s just trying to best prepare, and then obviously trusting what I think is right in that current moment,” he explained.

“It was my first time playing in the West Indies, and first time facing those bowlers. They bowled well and hopefully I can build from that experience. Adopting the right mindset, training hard, not leaving any regrets. For me, that’s the big thing, just the way I prepare, and especially with the people that I trust, having honest conversations with them when necessary and leaving it to that.”