'Lot of people telling me how I should go' - Usman Khawaja reacts to Michael Clarke's 'retirement' statement after Galle ton

Australia's opener Usman Khawaja delivered a powerful response to critics, including former Australian captain Michael Clarke, who has saidd that the veteran batter should retire after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. With an impressive unbeaten century on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, Khawaja gave it back to those who wrote him off earlier.

Khawaja's future in the Australian Test team had been under question following a disappointing home series against India as the 38-year-old managed only 184 runs at a poor average of 20.44, leading many, including Clarke, to mention that the Sydney Test would have been an ideal farewell for him. 

"This is Uzzie's home Test match, the SCG. He has been an amazing player, absolute amazing player. Come back in, score runs overseas, score runs in Australia. He's 38 years of age, I think it could be a great opportunity for Uzzie to announce his retirement, and Sydney be his last Test," Clarke had said on 'Beyond 23' podcast earlier this month (via Indian Express).

However, the southpaw retained his spot for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka and made the most of the opportunity, smashing his 16th Test century on the turning track of Galle. His maiden double ton alongside Steve Smith's 35th Test century put Australia in a commanding situation. Meanwhile, speaking after the first day’s play, Khawaja addressed the speculation around his career.

“It’s been a tough summer, and I think I finished the summer off really well, but had a lot of people telling me how I should go by my career and what I should do from here on in. When I finish this game, I've got beautiful kids and a family. I'm pretty chill with everything, but it's nice to get 100 after the summer because it was a tough time," Khawaja said.

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Not just playing cricket because I've got a gluttony to score lots of runs: Usman Khawaja

He also pointed out that his focus is on contributing to Australia’s success rather than chasing personal feats. With the ongoing series being the final phase of the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, Australia is set to compete in the WTC Final against South Africa in 2025, followed by tours to the West Indies and a home Ashes series. 

"I'm not here for anyone but the team. Andrew McDonald, one thing last year he said to me, 'I don't care what happens, just make sure you're on the Sri Lankan tour'. I'm not just playing cricket because I've got a gluttony to score lots of runs. Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen hundreds is not going to make a difference to my life," Khawaja added.