Rishabh Pant has claimed the sole reason for Sam Konstas confronting Jasprit Bumrah late on day one was to waste time after the Indian skipper was frustrated.
Usman Khawaja took significant time to face up against Bumrah ahead of the last ball, enraging the bowler.
Bumrah repeatedly gestured towards the left-hander to face up as Khawaja stood away from the stumps.
AS IT HAPPENED: Australia vs India fifth Test, day one
Konstas then spoke to Bumrah with umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat separating the pair.
Sharfuddoula Saikat gets in between Jasprit Bumrah and Sam Konstas. Â Fox Cricket
"All sorts of drama here … the perfect finish," Adam Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.
"You cannot take your eyes off this," Isa Guha added before Ravi Shastri said "it's game on now, they are fired up".
Ultimately, firing up Bumrah completely backfired with Khawaja nicking behind the final ball and KL Rahul taking the catch in the slips.
Asked post-game about the incident, Pant wasn't willing to be overly critical but offered his theory on Konstas' antics.
Jasprit Bumrah fires up at Sam Konstas. Â Fox Cricket
"I feel they had a little chit chat. They wanted to waste some time, I feel that's the reason he had a conversation with (Jasprit)," he told reporters.
"He said something, I didn't hear it but I feel that's the only reason he wanted to do it … so we couldn't bowl one more over."
It wasn't the only time-wasting controversy in the match with Steve Smith firing up at Shubman Gill in the last over before lunch.
Ironically it was the same result for Gill, who was dismissed the next ball nicking it to Smith and giving Nathan Lyon his only wicket of the innings.
Play will resume at the SCG at 10.30am on Saturday morning with the hosts 1-9.
