WTC Final: Biggest challenge for me throughout my career with Australia has been fitting in, says Usman Khawaja

Usman Khawaja revealed that the biggest challenge throughout his career has been fitting in and feeling comfortable in the Australia cricket team. This involved earning the respect of his teammates through his on-field performances and also being true to himself.

Usman Khawaja reflects on his career with Australia cricket team. 


By India Today Sports Desk: Australia opener Usman Khawaja opened up about the challenges he faced fitting in within the national team and the legacy he aims to build as a player born in another country. As Khawaja prepares for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against India, he sees this as another opportunity to prove himself against a formidable opponent.

Khawaja acknowledged that the challenges he has encountered in his career make the upcoming match pale in comparison. Born in Islamabad, Pakistan, Khawaja made his debut for Australia in a Test match during the 2011 Ashes series, becoming the first Pakistan-born player to represent the country. However, fitting in with his teammates and earning their respect proved to be a long and difficult battle.

Khawaja revealed that the biggest challenge throughout his career has been fitting in and feeling comfortable in the Australia cricket team. This involved earning the respect of his teammates through his on-field performances and also being true to himself. Changing certain structural aspects of Australia has been a hurdle he has had to overcome, but he takes pride in being the first cricketer of Pakistan or sub-continental background to represent Australia, as well as one of the few players of colour to do so.

"The biggest challenge for me throughout my career playing for Australia has been fitting in," Khawaja told the ICC. "For me it is always about fitting in and feeling like I can be myself in the Australian cricket team and that has taken a little bit of time. A little bit of that is earning the respect of my teammates by scoring runs and performing on the field, and the other side is me being myself and comfortable in my own skin.

"To do what I want and for the guys in the team to understand and respect who I am as a person. That always takes a certain time when you are trying to change certain structural things around Australian cricket and for me, that has been my biggest hurdle. But at the same time, it is something that I am most proud of achieving because I am the first cricketer to be born in Pakistan or to come from a sub-continent background to represent the Australian cricket team. And I am one of few coloured cricketers to ever represent Australia, so it is very proud for me."

After being dropped from the Test side following the 2019 Ashes series, Khawaja spent three years out of the team, risking the potential end of his international career. However, he responded by accumulating runs in Australia's domestic competition, the Sheffield Shield, which led to his recall for the home Ashes series against England in 2021. Khawaja made an immediate impact, scoring centuries in both innings of his home Test at the SCG.

During this period, he felt a sense of belonging and respect from his teammates. Khawaja's contributions played a significant role in Australia's qualification for their first World Test Championship Final, having amassed an impressive 1608 runs during the 2021-23 cycle, second only to England's Joe Root.

Khawaja attributed his good form to feeling more comfortable and being able to be himself. He highlighted the fact that many of his current teammates, including Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith, and David Warner, are players he grew up playing with in New South Wales. This familiarity has made it easier for him to express his true self. He also noted that the Australia cricket team has evolved to become more inclusive and has moved away from a particular mold that existed in the past.

As Khawaja nears the end of his Test career at 36 years old, he reflected on his achievements of playing 60 Tests and scoring 14 centuries for Australia. However, his focus now lies in leaving a lasting legacy that ensures future players, regardless of their background, feel comfortable and can be themselves within the team environment.