Teenager Sam Konstas hit a pulsating half-century on his Australia debut on a thrilling opening day of the fourth Test against India in Melbourne.

The 19-year-old opener, Australia men's youngest Test batting debutant since 1953, smashed 60 from 65 balls, featuring six fours and two sixes.

Konstas was also involved in a heated confrontation with India's Virat Kohli, clashing shoulders with the India batter at the end of an over, before departing to a standing ovation after being trapped lbw by Ravindra Jadeja.

Fellow opener Usman Khawaja rediscovered his form, hitting a first half-century in 12 innings before departing for 57 after lunch.

Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith then put on 83 for the fourth wicket as Australia pressed home their advantage in the evening session.

But Labuschagne's departure for 72 led to Australia losing three wickets for just nine runs, with the lively Bumrah removing Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh in quick succession.

Akash Deep then took the late wicket of Alex Carey for 31 with the new ball, before the hosts closed out the day on 311-6.

Read the full day one report

Image source, Getty Images

Australia are in a strong position on day one of the Boxing Day Test against India at the MCG. Here's what has happened so far:

• Sam Konstas hit a thrilling 60 from 65 on his Test debut after Australia skipper Pat Cummins won the toss in front of a crowd close to 90,000.
• Konstas' half-century came from just 52 balls, the third quickest half-century by an Australian Test debutant after Adam Gilchrist and Ashton Agar.
• The 19-year-old was involved in a heated conversation with Virat Kohli after the pair bumped shoulders at the end of the 10th over.
• He was dismissed lbw by Ravindra Jadeja after the first drinks break and departed to a huge ovation from the crowd.
• Usman Khawaja hit 57 before pulling a half-tracker from Jasprit Bumrah straight to KL Rahul after lunch.
• After reaching 176-2 at tea, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith put on 83 for the fourth wicket before Labuschagne fell for 72.

Image source, Getty Images

Sam Konstas made his debut for New South Wales in 2023, less than two months after his 18th birthday, but has played only 11 first-class matches.

Part of the Australia team that won the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, his breakthrough came with the twin centuries against South Australia in October when he followed a first-innings 152 - his first first-class hundred - with 105 in the second innings.

He has scored 471 runs at 58.87 in five matches in the Sheffield Shield this season and made a timely, 20-ball fifty for Sydney Thunder on his Big Bash debut last Tuesday, in doing so becoming the youngest man to score a fifty in the competition.

He also played for Prime Ministers XI against the India squad in a tour match between the first and second Tests and scored 107 from 97 balls against an attack featuring most of India's Test line-up.