Usman Khawaja does not have very fond memories of India. The southpaw was one of the four Australian players suspended by then coach Mickey Arthur for not completing a performance review during Australia’s disastrous tour of India in 2013. Khawaja had to return home mid-way through the series without playing a single game. After that infamous homework-gate, it took him two long years to return to the Australian team and he has not looked back since then.
The Pakistan-born cricketer has become one of Australia’s batting mainstays after returning to the team in 2016 and would be keen to do well in sub-continent to help his team improve their dismal record in this part of the world.
“It was a tough tour (India 2013), even from the sideline, just because we were losing games and things were not going our way,” Khawaja was quoted as saying by Fairfax Media in a report published by The Sydney Morning Herald.
“There was a bit going on in and around the change room at the time.I think that happens from time to time, especially when you start losing games — it’s tough work. It is one of those things, we have a different group now, (different) support staff.
“All experiences…probably more so bad experiences or experiences where you fail probably help shape you as a cricketer and a person more. You always seem to learn when you don’t quite do as well or when the team doesn’t quite do as well, if things don’t go your way,” Khwaja added.
Speaking on the prospect of playing against the world number one side, Khawaja sounded quite excited.
The Australia team were blanked 4-0 by Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men on their last visit to India and Khawaja, who is one of the most experienced batsmen in this new-look Australian team, will have to play a big role if Steven Smith-led side are fancying their chances against India.
“I always get really excited playing against really good opposition, really good players, really good bowlers. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about, playing and challenging yourself against the best players in the world,” Khawaja said.
The Australian team is currently undergoing a practice camp in Dubai to get accustomed to the playing conditions in India. With their recent record in sub-continent quite poor, Australia will have to play out of their skin to get a good result in India and the biggest roadblock for them will be India’s deadly spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Speaking on his preparation against the Indian spinners, he said:
“Everyone goes about their ways differently. Everyone will look at it (footage of Ashwin and Jadeja) at some point, but some people will look at it more, some people will look at it less. It’s the modern game, everyone looks at everyone nowadays, it’s just part and parcel of the game.”