Usman Khawaja’s determination to feature in next year’s Ashes series has taken a fresh hit after the Aussie opener flopped again on day two of the third Test against India. Khawaja – who turns 38 next week – has faced calls to retire after a worrying lack of form over the last 18 months and the criticism has grown louder after he was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah for 21 on day two at the Gabba.
Khawaja was largely untroubled in the limited overs he faced on a washed-out day one in Brisbane, and would have been looking to end a long Test century drought when he resumed on 19 on Sunday. The last time Khawaja made a Test ton for Australia was during the 2023 Ashes series against England and his long wait will have to continue after Bumrah caught the opener’s edge early in the first session.
The wicket means Khawaja has now gone 28 innings without scoring a Test ton, with teammate Steve Smith sitting on 26 consecutive innings without a Test century to his name. Bumrah also picked up India’s second wicket on Sunday after removing Khawaja’s opening partner Nathan McSweeney (nine) for the fourth time this series to continue the 25-year-old’s tough start to his Test career. The Aussies also lost Marnus Labuschagne in the opening session after he was caught from Virat Kohli for 12 off the bowling of Nitish Kumar Reddy. Smith and Travis Head were able to make it to lunch, with Australia on 3-104.
But it’s Khawaja that is coming under renewed pressure, with commentator and former Aussie bowler Brendon Julian among those to suggest he might be better off retiring after the Border-Gavaskar series, rather than trying to play on during next year’s Ashes series. “Opening the batting in this series has been extremely difficult and I think as you get older – he’s 37… I know he’s come out in the press and said ‘I’d like to make it to the next Ashes series.’ I just can’t see that personally,” Julian told Fox Cricket on Saturday.
“I actually think he probably should finish up this series in Australia, go out on a high. I just don’t like it when players try and hang on that little bit longer and as you get older and when you’re batting, you’re opening the batting against quality bowling with new balls. That is very, very difficult and as you get older, you’re just not as sharp.”
Cricket fans turn on Usman Khawaja after latest flop
With the likes of NSW opener and teenage sensation Sam Konstas knocking on the door to earn a Test call-up, the pressure is certainly on Khawaja to find his form again. But after the latest flop for the opener on Sunday, plenty of fans have taken to social media to agree with Julian that the veteran’s Test career could be coming to a swift end.
Khawaja perishes looks like his time for test cricket almost over and out three failures in three tests Aussies are still hunting a best opening pair after Davy’s retirement.#AUSvIND #BGT2024
— @mauryanlegacy (@LegacyMauryan) December 15, 2024
Khawaja is not up to Test Match level any more….
— Wayne Allard (@_Boondie_) December 15, 2024
India have a very clear plan of attack for Khawaja
All four of his dismissals in the series have come the same way
Right arm seamers bowling around the wicket
3/4 nicking off pretty much the exact same way
Houston we have a problem and at age 38 its not an easy fix#AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/X2kKPAc8yc
— Bryce Parker (@bryce_parker26) December 15, 2024
Smith and Labushagne been struggling for a while. That new opener failed again. Khawaja will turn 39 during next years ashes!
— Dominic Trippett (@DomTrippett) December 15, 2024
The fact Khawaja’s 21 in the first innings in Brisbane is his highest score so far this series does not bode well for his prospects and the veteran will likely need a big score in the second innings to keep the critics at bay. The 37-year-old was dismissed for eight and four in Perth, while only adding 13 and nine not out in Australia’s 10-wicket victory in Adelaide.
Usman Khawaja keen to play in next year’s Ashes series
But speaking before the third Test, Khawaja addressed concerns around his age and form and made it clear that he wants to keep opening the batting for Australia in next year’s Ashes series. “If everything is going well there is no reason why I would not want to play another summer in Australia. My body is good, my mind is good and I am still hitting the ball well,” Khawaja said, according to The Daily Telegraph.
“It (a series against India) is awesome to play, it’s massive but the pride and joy and tradition of playing in the Ashes, there’s nothing like it. The emotion involved, you saw it last Ashes both on and off the field, there’s just so much involved with it. It’s pretty special.”
The 37-year-old doesn’t believe his position is under immediate threat but Sunday’s latest failure could force Khawaja into a rethink. “We have won seven of the last nine games that we have played,” he added. “What I know is that we are doing better than what the opposition are doing. In the last nine games, not one game has gone to five days.
“It has obviously been tough work for batters in general but that (the results) is all I focus on. The batsmen are still doing what they need to. I batted (lasted) the first session pretty much every single first innings last year which pretty much set up the game for the team.”
