Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg has criticized head coach Andrew McDonald’s comments about India’s “intimidating” celebrations against rookie opener Sam Constellation during the Sydney Test. Brad Hogg has dismissed Andrew McDonald’s comments, saying calling them intimidation was a step too far.

The controversy unfolded during the fifth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test after Usman Khawaja was dismissed in Australia’s first innings. Jasprit Bumrah and Sam Konstas had a verbal exchange before being dismissed. Bumrah stared down Konstas intensely after taking his wicket off the last ball of the first day.

The way India celebrates is scary – Andrew McDonald

The Indian players were visibly excited as they stood in front of Konstas at the non-striker’s end to celebrate Khawaja’s wicket. Andrew McDonald criticized India’s celebrations following Khawaja’s dismissal, saying: “Obviously the way India celebrated was quite intimidating.”

Australia won 3-1 in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Sam Constas scored 113 runs in four innings at an average of 28.25. Constas is expected to retain his place in the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, with Australia aiming to groom him for their home Ashes series in late 2025.

This is a little too much – Brad Hogg

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Brad Hogg disagreed with Andrew McDonald’s comments. Hogg noted that Constas had previously worked as an Indian sled batsman. The former cricketer said Constas should be prepared for similar treatment.

“I think it’s a bit much for the coach to come out and say that Indian players were intimidating Constass and that there are mental health issues there,” Hogg said on his YouTube channel.

“If you want to say a few words to the opposing team and you want to hit four balls and then walk down and serve the bowler and he’s walking back to the stumps, you’re going to have to sit there and take it on the way back as well. ,” he added.

Sam Konstas’ maiden Test series has been marked by drama, including a controversial shoulder barge incident with Virat Kohli during the Boxing Day Test. After the altercation, Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and had points deducted.

Coaches shouldn’t talk about Indians intimidation – Brad Hogg

Brad Hogg says Andrew McDonald should focus on preparing his players for such incidents rather than publicly defending them. Hogg further said Macdonald should not discuss Indian “intimidation” but should instruct Constas on how to respond to opposition actions.

“The coach should not talk about India’s intimidation. The coach should talk to his players about how he will deal with retaliation from the opponent team and not defend him because if you want to express it, you have to take it back too,” Hogg added in the same video.

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