IND vs AUS: Australian opener's condition is also like Rohit Sharma, the former captain said- take retirement after Sydney test

Australian opener Usman Khawaja's condition is similar to that of Indian captain Rohit Sharma at the moment. Khawaja's performance in the year 2024 was poor and he is being advised to retire from Test cricket like Rohit Sharma.

Australia's experienced opener Usman Khawaja had a great year in 2023, where he scored 1210 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 52.60. However, in 2024 he was nowhere near this performance. The left-handed batsman played 9 Tests in the year 2024 and scored only 415 runs at an average of 25.93. This is the reason why 38-year-old Usman Khawaja is being suggested to say goodbye to the Test format.

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke believes that Usman Khawaja should retire after the upcoming Sydney Test. Clarke said that it would be beneficial for Khawaja to retire from Tests in Sydney because it is his home ground. Clarke said that Khawaja will be able to take a great farewell in this way.

Michael Clarke's statement

"This will be Usman Khawaja's home Test match (Sydney). He was a great player. He made a comeback and scored runs abroad including in Australia. He is 38 years old. I think this is a great time for Uzi to retire and Sydney should be the last Test of his career."

"I know he wants to keep playing continuously. His form is not as it should be in the series. I know that Australia has to tour Sri Lanka and then there is an Ashes series. There is a lot of cricket to be played in the meantime, but I think this is the right time for a new player to come. He will get some experience of Test matches before the Ashes series starts." Usman Khawaja's career

Born in Islamabad, Pakistan, Usman Khawaja made his Test debut against England in 2011. In 12 years, Khawaja represented Australia in 77 Tests and scored 5592 runs with the help of 15 centuries and 27 half-centuries. He scored 1554 runs in 40 ODIs. At the same time, Khawaja scored 241 runs in 9 T20 International matches.

Who will replace him?

If Usman Khawaja retires after the fifth Test against India, then two names are at the forefront of the race to replace him. Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas are considered suitable to fill this place. It is known that the fifth and final Test between India and Australia will start from January 3.