Australian cricket great Mark Waugh has sent a timely warning to Sam Konstas, admitting the teenager could “have a target on his back” moving forward.

The 19-year-old was in the thick of things again late on day one at the Sydney Cricket Ground, mouthing off at Jasprit Bumrah as the Aussies attempted to run out the clock.

The antics didn’t pay off however, with opening partner Usman Khawaja snicking off from the final Bumrah delivery of the day, leading to a raucous response by India.

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Speaking on Fox Cricket, Waugh claimed the young right-hander needed to be cautious in his approach to rival players – especially so early in his Test career.

“You can understand Usman Khawaja trying to wind the clock down so he didn’t have to face another over, but then you have got Sam Konstas trying to get involved,” he said.

“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.

“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. He might learn from that Konstas. If he keeps behaving like that he is going to have a target on his back for his whole 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 have minded his own business. I have just got to let the bat do the talking.”

Konstas lit the fuse on debut by whacking the world’s best bowler in Bumrah to all parts of the MCG with ramp shots, making a half-century on Boxing Day.

But with the Indian players already growing tired of his brash approach, Kerry O’Keeffe also conceded Konstas was treading a fine line.

“He’s teasing the line and it can be dangerous,” he said.

“Konstas vs Bumrah that’s why people are in their seats at 10:30 for the start of that contest. There was so much controversy … but who knows their could be more.

“I thought India’s reaction to Usman Khawaja getting out was very much over the top.”

Australian icon Allan Border believes someone in the camp needs to speak with Konstas before things get out of hand.

“I would have had a chat to him by now,” the former Test skipper said on Fox Cricket.

“There’s a subtle difference between cocky and confidence – I think he’s just tipped over to the cocky side. I would be having a word, just to calm it down a bit.

“I think that cocky chirp and chat that goes on, he’s obviously ruffled some feathers … from his own personal point of view, I’d like to see him focus on what he does best.”

Konstas kicked off day two with intent, hitting Bumrah for a boundary with a ramp shot, but was soon dismissed by Mohammed Siraj for 22.

Marnus Labuschagne was also out cheaply, snicking off to Bumrah for 2.