IND vs AUS 2023: It was a mental battle more than anything else – Usman Khawaja

Australian opener Usman Khawaja was delighted after scoring a fine hundred on the opening day of the ongoing fourth Test match at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Thursday. This is Khawaja’s 14th Test century and his first on the Indian shores as he batted at his best.

The left-hander showed all the patience as he remained unbeaten on 104 runs on the opening day after facing 251 balls. Australia was 255-4 at the draw of stumps on Day 1 after Smith won the toss and Khawaja played a key role in his team’s dominant position.

The southpaw struck 15 fours and grabbed his opportunity whenever the Indian bowlers veered off the track. Khawaja has been in good form as he had returned with scores of 81 and 60 in the first innings at Delhi and Indore respectively and he was able to carry the same momentum.

Khawaja looked at ease on the backfoot against the spinners and he was able to make the most of his good form on a flat deck in Ahmedabad, which didn’t have much on offer for the bowlers.

This is Khawaja’s third tour to India and he was delighted to finally get to the three-digit mark for the first time in Indian conditions.

Usman Khawaja said after the end of the day’s play on Star Sports, “A lot of emotion in that. Has been a long journey, getting a hundred, as an Australian you always want to do that. It’s very special. Head took the new ball down. He was smacking them. Was pretty good to watch that from the other end. It was such a nice wicket, I didn’t want to give my wicket away. It was a mental battle more than anything else. You need to keep doing it for a long time. I had the helmet in my right hand, I told him (Green) just me a hug, instead of a high five (following his century). I have no superstitions, I stretched a bit in the morning and I was ready to go.”

Australia won two sessions on the opening day whereas the first session was shared between the two teams and a lot of credit goes to Usman Khawaja. Cameron Green also scored a quickfire unbeaten knock of 49 runs. The visitors were able to score 106 runs in the final session, scoring 54 runs in the last nine overs after the second new ball was taken by Rohit Sharma.

Australia has put itself in a commanding position and Khawaja will look to keep up the good show on the second day’s play.