- Fans call for Australian veteran to retire
- Khawja has had a worrying lack of form
- He’s gone 28 innings without a ton of testing.
Fans took to social media to call for Usman Khawaja’s retirement after the veteran Australian opener failed to deliver on the second day of the third Test against India.
Khawaja, who turns 38 next week, did well to bat with intent in the first overs on Saturday but was out for 21 after edging a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah on the second day.
Khawaja has now gone 28 innings without scoring a Test century and the pressure is mounting.
“It’s time for Khawaja to get a slap on the shoulder,” one X user posted.
“Khawaja is no longer up to Test match level,” echoed another.
“It’s time for Khawaja to retire,” wrote a third.
Questions increase about Usman Khawaja due to his poor form
The 37-year-old has gone 28 innings without scoring a Test century.
It comes after former Australian bowler Brendon Julian asked Khawaja to step away from the game after the Border-Gavaskar series.
“Opening the batting in this series has been extremely difficult and I think as you get older, he’s 37… I know he came out in the press and said, ‘I’d like to get to the next Ashes series.’ I just can’t see it. personally,” Julian told FOX Sports.
“In fact, I think I should probably finish this series in Australia and come out on top. I just don’t like it when players try to hold on a little longer and as you get older and when you bat, you open the batting against quality bowling with new balls. .
“That’s very, very difficult and as you get older, you’re just not as smart.”
Khawaja indicated during the week that he is not particularly concerned about his inconsistent form.
“We’ve won seven of the last nine games we’ve played,” he said.
‘What I know is that we are doing better than what the opposition is doing. In the last nine games none has gone to five days.
“It’s obviously been hard work for the hitters in general, but that (results) is all I’m focusing on.”
The Australian veteran has indicated that he would like to be in the Ashes series next year.
‘The hitters are still doing what they need to do. I batted (lasted) the first session in virtually every first inning last year, which set up the game for the team.’
India only need to draw the series to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as they are its current holders.
It means a win in Melbourne or Sydney would be enough for the tourists to claim the trophy for a fifth consecutive series.
India have won their last two Tests at the MCG, also drawing there in 2014-15 on much flatter ground than exists today in Melbourne.
Their last three tests at the SCG have been draws.
If the Brisbane Test is tied, Australia will need to win in both Melbourne and Sydney, or win one and have the other end in a draw.