Usman Khawaja has been Australia’s shining armor in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series. The opener so far has accumulated 257 runs in the series where he has struck 2 half-centuries & 1 ton (*4th Test Match) which has been tough for the batters. Usman Khawaja displayed immense mental application where the bowlers bowled impeccable line & length.
The final test of the Border-Gavaskar series finally went underway marking 75 years of the relationship between India and Australia cricket. The Aussies made a mammoth 255 for four at the end of the first day starring Usman Khawaja who scored 104 off 251 balls where he struck 15 fours.
“It just doesn’t make any sense to me”- Ian Chappell
Analyzing the match on ESPNcricinfo, Australian legend Ian Chappell criticized India for not being able to find a way against Usman Khawaja, and that is what is hurting them now.
“I think the calmness of Khawaja has been exemplary in this series. One thing I can’t understand is India’s desire to come around the wicket at all times to a left-hander. It just doesn’t make any sense to me. All the good left-handers I have spoken to have said the right arm over the wicket is the toughest line to face. Ok, now for every now then for a change you can bowl around the wicket.” said Ian Chappell
“It works well in England but in India, it is ridiculous. Particularly to a player like Khawaja, whose great strength is his on-side. We saw that today. Why would you angle the ball into his pads, when that’s exactly what he wants.” he stated.
“The other thing about Khawaja is, he looked at ease at all times. India to me, haven’t come up with a solution to Khawaja’s batting and it is really starting to hurt them.” he added.
A test of the bowlers finally?
The glorious knock of 104 made Usman Khawaja, the only Australian batter to score a Test century on the Indian soil while he was aptly supported by the all rounder Cameron Green (49 off 64 balls). Contrary to the nature of the series, the ongoing test seemed to be the one for the batters where the ball was seen doing nothing, the visitors rightly made the use of pitch, moving the clash towards a high scoring one.
Also Read: IND vs AUS: “We Have To Learn To Play On Pitches…”- Rahul Dravid On BGT 2023 Surfaces