Mark Waugh has raised concerns about Sam Konstas’ high-intensity approach during the ongoing BGT. Waugh believes this strategy could backfire on the Australian team, placing unnecessary pressure on the young batter and disrupting the team’s balance.

“I don’t know whether it is naive enthusiasm or that’s just the way he has always played his game through the juniors and likes to have high energy and get involved in the game, but really there was no need for Sam to get involved there,” Fox Sports quoted the Australian cricket legend. 

When speaking about the clash between Konstas and Bumrah, Waugh stated, “I think he should have bit his tongue, and it’s got nothing to do with him actually, and it might have broken the concentration of Khawaja.”. 

While Khawaja focused on winding down the clock, Konstas seemed overly eager to take the initiative. Waugh noted that this kind of behaviour could potentially make Konstas a target for opposition players throughout his career.

“I just think he is firing the opposition up. He’s fired up Jasprit. You don’t want to fire him up. I think Sam will reflect on that and think he should’ve minded his own business and say, I have just got to let the bat do the talking,” Waugh added.

Konstas produced a short innings of 23 runs on the second day of the Fifth Test in BGT 2024-25; he blasted three boundaries, including the ramp shot off Bumrah. 

Former Australia cricketer Kerry O’Keeffe, while conversing with the Test Daily, warned that Konstas' aggressive approach could backfire, particularly against a bowler of Bumrah's caliber. Meanwhile, O’Keeffe emphasised the charged atmosphere on the second day, which was heightened by contentious umpiring decisions involving Virat Kohli and Washington Sundar.

“He (Konstas) is teasing the line, and it can be dangerous,” O’Keeffe said.