Despite approaching 38 years of age, Usman Khawaja has proven himself as a vital member of Australia's cricket team. Former captain Tim Paine has expressed his confidence in Khawaja's ability to continue representing his country, citing his impressive form and consistency as an opener. Paine believes that age is just a number for the talented batsman, who has been one of the best in the world at his position for the past two years.
Usman Khawaja: A Steadfast Pillar of the Australian Cricket Team
Despite approaching 38 years of age, Usman Khawaja remains an integral part of the Australian men's cricket team. His unwavering form and reliability at the top of the order have earned him the respect and admiration of fans and teammates alike.
Background
Usman Khawaja was born in Pakistan in 1986 and immigrated to Australia with his family at the age of four. He made his international debut for Australia in 2011 and has since played 56 Test matches and 40 One-Day Internationals.
Known for his technical prowess and ability to adapt to different conditions, Khawaja has been a key figure in Australia's recent resurgence in Test cricket. He has scored over 4,000 runs in the format, including 13 centuries.
Former Captain's Confidence
Former captain Tim Paine has been a strong advocate for Khawaja's continued selection in the team.
"He's been in the form of his life for the last couple of years," Paine said. "He's one of the best openers in the world. Age is just a number. He's playing as well as anyone."
Consistency and Adaptability
Khawaja's ability to consistently perform at the highest level is a testament to his work ethic and dedication. Despite facing some setbacks earlier in his career, he has never lost sight of his goal to represent Australia.
His ability to adapt to different conditions is another key to his success. Whether it's facing the swinging ball in England or the turning tracks in India, Khawaja has proven that he can score runs anywhere in the world.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. How old is Usman Khawaja?
Khawaja is currently 38 years old.
2. How many Test matches has he played for Australia?
Khawaja has played 56 Test matches for Australia.
3. What is his Test batting average?
Khawaja's Test batting average is 46.56.
4. Has he captained the Australian Test team?
No, Khawaja has not captained the Australian Test team.
5. Who is Khawaja's current opening partner?
Khawaja's current opening partner in the Australian Test team is David Warner.
Former Indian cricketer and chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, spoke at the NDTV World Summit about his experience in different cricketing roles. He said that his current job as a chief selector is the toughest because of the pressure to make decisions that can make or break players' careers. This is especially difficult in a country like India, where there is a plethora of talented players. Agarkar also shared that his playing days gave him the greatest satisfaction.
In a recent interview, chief selector Agarkar discussed the future of star duo Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as the 2027 ODI World Cup approaches. While they are set to return to the team for the upcoming series against Australia, Agarkar hinted at the possibility of newer, younger players joining the squad as well. However, he also emphasized the past achievements and contributions of Rohit and Kohli to the team and assured that they will not be judged harshly based on their performance in the upcoming matches. Ultimately, the team combination and management's decision will play a crucial role in determining the veteran duo's involvement in the mega event.
After remaining tight-lipped on the matter, the Chief Selector of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Ajit Agarkar, has finally addressed the question on everyone's mind - Will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma be part of India's ODI World Cup squad in 2027? Agarkar stated that it is difficult to say what the future holds for the two star players and that they will not be judged on every series they play. He also emphasized on the importance of respecting legacy players like Kohli and Rohit.
Indian shuttler Tanvi Sharma made history by clinching a medal for India at the BWF World Junior Championships. Facing tough competition, Tanvi came back from losing the first game and won the next two, securing a spot in the semifinals. Celebrations broke out, with Tanvi's reaction and junior women's coach Park Tae-sang's elation going viral on social media. This accomplishment marks the first time an Indian woman has won a World Junior medal since Saina Nehwal's triumph in 2008.
Young Indian shuttler Tanvi Sharma secured a medal for India at the BWF World Junior Championships after defeating Japan's Saki Matsumoto in a thrilling quarterfinal match. Despite a shaky start, Tanvi showed her grit and tactical maturity to make a stunning comeback and secure her spot in the semifinals. While Tanvi celebrated her victory, India's young mixed doubles pair Unnati Hooda and Tanish Sharma fell short in the quarterfinals, losing to Thailand's Anyapat Phichitphon and ending their bid for a medal.
In a thrilling Ranji Trophy 2025-26 match between Madhya Pradesh and Punjab, MP captain Rajat Patidar hit a massive milestone by scoring his first ever First Class double hundred. In a spectacular display of skill and determination, Patidar reached the landmark figure off the 328th ball of his innings, beating his previous best First Class score of 196. This victory further solidifies Patidar's new role as MP's all-format skipper, cementing him as one of the top players to watch out for in the upcoming cricket season.
Following the departures of several top members of their backroom staff, including head coach Chandrakant Pandit, the Kolkata Knight Riders seem to be on the lookout for a new coach. Fans are speculating that legendary spinner and former India captain Anil Kumble, who has a wealth of coaching experience both internationally and in the IPL, could be the one to take over the reins. With a record-breaking career as a player and a proven track record as a mentor, Kumble could be just the person to lead the underperforming KKR to glory in the upcoming season.
Australia's all-rounder Cameron Green has been ruled out of the upcoming three-ODI series against India due to 'side soreness'. This has raised concerns about his fitness for the 2025 Ashes, as his all-round abilities are crucial for the team. The board has called up Marnus Labuschagne as a replacement and expects Green to be available for the third round of Sheffield Shield. This move shows Australia's complete priority towards the Ashes, with first-choice wicketkeeper Alex Carey also missing the first ODI for his Ashes preparation.
Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble celebrates his birthday. He holds the record for most Test wickets by an Indian and is also the leading wicket-taker for India in ODIs. Kumble was the second player in history to take all ten wickets in a Test match innings and later went on to coach the Indian team to numerous victories. He was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2015.
The Australian Cricket Team has suffered a major blow as all-rounder Cameron Green has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against the Indian Cricket Team due to an injury. In his place, Marnus Labuschagne has been added to the squad, after initially being overlooked for poor performance in the previous series. This is the third change in Australia's ODI squad, with two previous players opting out. Green will undergo rehabilitation and is expected to return for the Ashes series in 2025-26.