TOPSHOT – Australian batsman Sam Konstas plays a ramp shot on the first day of the fourth cricket … [+]
There’s something about youth that doesn’t see the problem. Australian captain Pat Cummins told Sam Konstas to play his debut Test at Melbourne as if a kid batting in his own backyard. That’s exactly what the 19-year-old did when he scored 60 on the first day at the MCG. Konstas had the courage to dare because he lives for the day and knows there will be plenty more of them.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old Nitish Kumar Reddy shows no hesitation in taking on Test matches as if they are a natural extension of his life. When India collapsed to 150 all out in Perth, it was Reddy who was last man standing with a courageous debut innings of 41. It didn’t matter that other seniors were failing and flailing. He stood tall. Reddy’s 114 at Melbourne – scored when India were in dire straits again – was another dose of uncomplicated confidence.
“Sometimes young players approach the game with a wonderful naivety. They are not nervous when they are challenged to go up a level. Instead, they can be oblivious to the pressure and go in with no expectations and little to lose,” wrote Mark Rampraksah of Jacob Bethell in his Guardian column.
Ramprakash was famously earmarked for a golden future in international cricket but often fell foul of an intensity that trapped rather than released his glorious talents. Bethell had no doubts. “Not at all really. Pretty much every time I’ve played against better people, I’ve played better,” the new English No.3 said after he was skyrocketed into Ben Stokes’s side.
The mental energy invested in worrying about failing or succeeding doesn’t appear to be a thing for Konstas or Reddy who have a combined age of 40. See ball. Hit ball. Simplicity rules. When Konstas unfurled at Melbourne, he hit Jasprit Bumrah for 18 off an over. It was fresh. It was fun. It almost stopped Bumrah smiling. This was box office youth parading its stuff, knowing and trusting technique against the best. The worst that could happen was to die wondering. That’s not what teenagers do.
When Konstas was asked about the shoulder barge he received from his hero, Virat Kohli, the teenager batted it off without any issues. It was “just cricket.” Then he mimicked the simulation to the Indian fans in the crowd. That showed the insouciance of someone who belongs.
“I love to be a match-winner so I have no excuse to not work hard,” Reddy said to ESPNcricinfo in a recent interview. This is such a freedom of expression that can only come from the spirit of total belief engendered by innocence. He looks ready for everything that goes around the game of cricket. The wear and tear of overthinking and constant tinkering is for those looking too hard. Cricket can make fools out of legends.
After scoring 41 and 38 in his debut match at Perth, Reddy spoke about the moment he grew up in his early cricketing life in a video released by the BCCI. “My father left his job for me and there has been a lot of sacrifice behind my story. One day, I saw him crying because of the financial problems we were facing, and I was like, this is not how you can be… that my father made the sacrifices and you play cricket just for fun.”
Reddy grew up fast. The fun is still there though. Sport in the 21st century is a serious business. It needs someone to prick the bubble and groupthink. Worse things happen at sea.
“Play as if it means nothing, when it means everything,” said former six-time snooker world champion Steve Davis.. It’s the first part of that advice which captures the smile and joy that Reddy and Konstas bring to the field in the dog-eat-dog world of Test match cricket. They are in the cauldron, but they play with the cool of the chill cabinet.
Virat Kohli’s Instagram bio reads ‘Carpediem.’ Kohli might not worry about the future, but he’s struggling to stop the rot at present. Konstas, Bethell and Reddy enjoy the freedom of the here and now, win, lose or draw.
