For the first time since his triumphant return to the national set-up in 2022, Usman Khawaja’s position in the Test side has come under some scrutiny. Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer > The left-hander has managed one half-century in his 18 most recent Test knocks, including scores of 33, 28, 16, 11, 8, 4, 13, 9 not out and 21 since February.
The nerves were apparent when he walked out to bat on Saturday morning. In the fourth over, Khawaja needlessly dived to make his ground while scampering through for a quick single. He fiddled with his padding between deliveries, poking at his thigh guard and adjusting his helmet.
The Queenslander isn’t an authoritative figure at the crease. As the bowler steams in, he peeks over his front shoulder with a hunched back and onerous look of concentration – somewhat like former coach Justin Langer. However, Khawaja’s a noticeably more relaxed character at the non-striker’s end.
He leans on his bat with a teapot stance, occasionally tending to some gardening. When strutting down the pitch, he walks with a fashionable swagger. Just as a corporate bigwig would loosen their tie on a Friday afternoon, Khawaja undoes the strapping on his gloves at the non-striker’s end, allowing his wrists to breathe.
Khawaja’s primary objective for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been to survive Jasprit Bumrah’s opening spell, some.
