Usman Khawaja upbeat to make his mark in India

Australian top-order batsman Usman Khawaja who wasted his opportunity to play in India during their previous tour in 2013 due to unforeseen situations said that he has learnt from his previous mistakes and is determined to make a mark in the upcoming 4 match series in India. The southpaw was there in the squad that toured India in 2013 but was subsequently sent back to Australia alongside Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson and James Pattinson due to the homework saga involving the then Australian coach Mickey Arthur.

He failed to provide a written feedback on what measures were needed to be taken for the team’s improvement which resulted in his ouster from the India. So come 23^rd February, Usman Khawaja will be playing his maiden Test match in Indian conditions. “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 in the ‘Sydney morning Herald.’

The Australian squad is current at the ICC Academy in Dubai preparing for the tough series against India. “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 said. Australia‘s last series triumph in India came way back in 2004 when Adam Gilchrist led them to a 2-1 series victory. Since then Australia is still trying to win a Test match in India.

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Khawaja will be a vital member of Australia up the order and he will be given the tough job to nullify the deadly combo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja who has been sensational for the hosts in the last few series.

“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.

“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,” he signed off.