Usman Khawaja's performance during the third Test against India has once again brought his role as Australia's opener under scrutiny. On day two of the match at the Gabba, Khawaja managed only 21 runs before being caught behind by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah. This dismissal marked his 28th consecutive innings without scoring a Test century, raising concerns about his future as he approaches his 38th birthday next week.
Khawaja has been under pressure for some time, with calls for him to retire growing louder among fans and specialists alike. His latest dismissal mirrored his previous failures throughout the series, as he has struggled against Bumrah, who has now taken all four of Khawaja's wickets this summer. Commentator and former Australian cricketer Brendon Julian stated, “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 it personally,” adding weight to the conversation surrounding Khawaja’s retirement.
The pressure for Khawaja to perform has only increased as new talents emerge, such as teenage opener Sam Konstas, who is touted as his potential successor. This transitional phase for the Australian team has left Khawaja fighting to prove his worth. The last time he found real success was during the 2023 Ashes series against England, making his current form even more disappointing.
The Australian team had hoped for Khawaja to establish himself after returning to the national setup post-2022 disruption, but he has only managed one half-century over his last 18 innings, and criticism has intensified with each failure. His latest figures show dismissals of 8, 4, 13, 9 not out, and the recent 21 against India—performances far below what is expected at the international level.
Before the start of the test, Khawaja expressed his desire to continue playing for the Australian team, stating, “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.” His ambition to persist contrasts starkly with the sentiments expressed on social media, where fans have been vocal about their disappointment and growing belief it may be time for Khawaja to step away. Posts such as, ‘Khawaja is not up to Test Match level anymore,’ echo across platforms, underscoring his dwindling support among supporters.
Compounding Khawaja’s woes is the realization of the age factor. Allan Border, another Australian cricket legend, noted, “Naturally your body slows down... It would take a lot longer (to score runs) than it did when I was 28, just through the foot movement and reaction time, to pick the ball up and play the right shot.” This acknowledgment serves as both advice and warning for Khawaja as he contemplates his future.
Fans and experts alike reminisce about previous players who faced similar downfalls as they aged—Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, David Warner among them—drawing parallels to Khawaja’s career as he reaches this pivotal stage. Many feel it is appropriate to evaluate his future based on not just current performance but the legacies of those who have walked this path before him.
The Australian cricket team secured several victories and dominated before Khawaja's current slump, but the pressure is mounting. Analysts have noted, “We have won seven of the last nine games we have played,” Khawaja insisted, arguing his individual form has not come at the cost of team success. Yet, with the upcoming Ashes looming and the extraordinary pressures associated with them, Khawaja's performance will be critically observed.
Whether Khawaja can pick himself up from this slump remains to be seen. Each performance leading up to next year’s Ashes is of utmost importance, not only for him but also for the continuing legacy of the Australian team. For now, fans remain anxious about how Khawaja will respond, knowing full well his legacy hangs delicately by the methods with which he navigates through the current turbulence.
