Ancient bonds: Greece and India’s 2,500-year-old connection
Greeks and Indians have shared historical ties for over 2,500 years, dating back to interactions before Alexander the Great’s Indian campaign in 327 BC. Indian philosophical and scientific ideas influenced Greece’s emergence from the Greek Dark Ages (1180–800 BC), while Greek culture left its mark on India through the Indo-Greek kings, notably Menander I (Milinda), a Buddhist convert. Today, Greece and India continue their strong cultural and strategic ties, highlighted by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ visit to India and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reciprocal visit to Greece.
Indian and Greek diasporas have been crisscrossing the globe for thousands of years meeting across continents. And in Australia they meet again – two ancient and connected communities.
Parallel migration stories: Greeks and Indians in Australia
While Greek migration to Australia surged in the first half of the 19th century, it was after World War II that Australia saw mass migration from Greece with over 700,000 Australians claiming Greek heritage. Indians gave also been in Australia from the 19th Century, however it is in more recent times India has become a top source of permanent migration to Australia.
The growth of the Indian diaspora is following a migration trajectory once led by Greek Australians. As of June 2022, 753,520 Indian-born people lived in Australia, which shows how diverse the population is growing.
While cricket may not take on the religious passion it does for Indians for Greeks, in Australia we are witnessing the rise of Greek Australian crickets, not least Sam Konstas.
Cricketing crossroads: Sam Konstas and the Greek-Australian connection
Konstas is not the first Greek Australian in cricket though, former Australian cricketer Jason Gillespie, is of Aboriginal descent from his father’s side and has Greek Heritage from his mother’s side, is the first cricketer with a Greek heritage to play test cricket for Australia. He played 71 Tests for Australia between 1996 and 2006, took 259 wickets and is also known for his brilliant 201* as a night watchman against Bangladesh in 2006.
Sam Konstas became the second cricketer to get the opportunity to represent Australia in test cricket. The 19-year-old debuted against India at MCG’s iconic Boxing Day test and entertained everyone with his batting.
Konstas’s ramp shots against world-class Jasprit Bumrah showed the world that he’s not scared of anyone and is willing to take challenges.
The recent Border Gavaskar trophy match between Australia and India disappointed the Indians, who lost the five-match series by 3-1.
It must not have been a great series for India, but Australia found a 19-year-old gem in Sam Konstas, who plays for New South Wales in domestic cricket. Konstas’s favourite cricketer is Virat Kohli, and he exchanged a few words with Indian star Virat Kohli on the field after they bumped into each other, which resulted in some booing from Indian fans for Konstas.
Regarding Sam Konstas’ debut, Pawan Luthra, the CEO of Indian Link Media Group, had nothing but praise for him. He said that Konstas made a massive impact on the Border Gavaskar trophy.
“Konstas changed the series and got Indians worried. I wish he had saved his firepower for the Ashes against England instead,” said Pawan.
Pawan also reacted to the Virat-Konstas incident and said, “19-year-old Sam was able to upset one of the most experienced cricketers on the field and forget the shoulder charge; this was pure raw, test cricket passion by Sam.”
Pawan added that Konstas brings a refreshing attitude to the team. “The young lad has a lot to prove, and he started proving himself in his very first encounter against India.”
Tanish Prabhu, a media student at Deakin University of Indian-Australian heritage, grew up supporting Australia. However, his loyalty shifts when India faces Australia on the cricket field.
Reflecting on Konstas’s potential, Tanish said, “Sam has got the confidence, and I like the way he plays cricket; he took on Japrit Bumrah, and I have immense respect for the guy, and I think he’ll do well in the future.”
Talking about his friends’ perspective, Tanish said, “My Aussie mates loved watching Konstas smacking ramp shots against Bumrah, whereas my Indian friends think that he just played childish shots and not played proper cricketing shots.”
But Konstas’s work right now is at least giving hope to many Greek Australians who want to represent Australia in test cricket.
Sydney-based author and Neos Kosmos contributor, Billy Cotsis –a huge cricket fan – thinks Konstas has given hope to young aspiring Greek communities in Australia.
Cotsis said, “Sam’s debut has sparked fresh interest in Test cricket within the Greek Australian community.”
“Sam has inspired a lot of Greek Australian kids and Sam, as a cricketer, is a very positive person. He has worked very hard and represented Australia in test cricket, inspiring young boys, and girls to pick cricket,” Cotsis said.
He was disappointed when Konstas was dropped in the Sri Lanka series.
“He should’ve been playing cricket, and that was a bad decision by selectors to drop him because he had a solid debut against India, and now the question is when will he get the next opportunity?”
Nick Hatzoglou, who has worked at Cricket Australia, AFL and Football Australia in multicultural strategy and grassroots programs talked about the pride the Greek community felt.
“The Greek Australian community is incredibly proud of Konstas. His debut was so sensational that it has inspired people across generations,” said Hatzoglou.
Konstas’ debut against India was inspirational Hatzoglou said.
“When he walked onto the field, he made the cross sign; it was an indication that he has a lot of Hellenic influence.”
Hatzoglou focused on the way “Greek culture places immense value on family, much like Indian culture”.
“That strong family support system gives him a solid foundation both on and off the field.”‘
Cultural pride and healthy sporting rivalry
Petros Kosmopoulos, former editor of the English edition of Neos Kosmos, had a different perspective on Konstas.
“Sam Konstas is a reflection of modern-day Australia—he embraces his Greek heritage while being a proud, patriotic Australian.”
“The Greek community takes great pride in seeing someone like Sam succeed. He confidently carries his background, but he is also a well-spoken, competitive young Australian,” Kosmopoulos said.
On Konstas’s beef with Virat Kohli, Kosmopoulos said that “his exchange with Virat Kohli wasn’t about disrespect—it was about competitiveness”.
“As a 19-year-old facing the world’s best bowlers, you need confidence, or you’ll be overwhelmed.”
As Sam Konstas continues his cricketing journey, his rise represents more than just individual talent—it symbolises the evolving face of Australian sport. He’s a source of immense pride for Greek Australians, carrying their heritage onto the biggest stage.
For young cricketers, he is proof that boldness and belief can shape a career. And for Australian cricket, he’s a fresh, fearless talent ready to take on the world.
