Australian opener Usman Khawaja is all set to play his final Test after a career spanning 15 years. The 39-year-old confirmed that the fifth Ashes Test against England will be his last international cricket match. The match will be played in Sydney from Saturday January 3. Interestingly, he made his debut on the same day against the same team in 2011.
Speaking at a press conference, Khawaja said (via ESPNcricinfo):
“I’ve been thinking about it, not entirely, but for a while. Coming into this series, I kind of felt like it was going to be the last series.”
He continued:
“I spoke to Rachel [Khawaja’s wife] I talked about it a lot, and I knew it was a great opportunity. I didn’t leave the door completely closed, because I knew I had an opportunity to play. I know [coach] Andrew McDonald, even until the very end, when I talked to him about it a few days ago, he was still thinking about how I could get to India. [in 2027]”.
“I’m happy to be able to leave on my own terms, with a bit of dignity, and go to the SCG where I love. But I think the start of the series was quite a tough time. Then going into Adelaide and not being picked initially for the game, that was probably a sign for me to say, ‘okay, it’s time to move on,'” Khawaja added.
Khawaja played 87 Tests for Australia, scoring 6,206 runs in 157 innings at an average of 43.29, including 16 tons and 28 fifties. He made his career-best score of 232 against Sri Lanka in 2025.
In this article, we will compare Usman Khawaja’s Test records with those of KL Rahul:
Most races
KL Rahul made his Test debut against Australia in December 2014, starting with scores of 3 and 1. In 67 Tests, he has accumulated 4,053 runs in 118 innings.
On the other hand, Usman Khawaja made his debut against England in January 2011, returning with scores of 37 and 21. In his first 67 Tests, he scored 5,153 runs in 119 innings.
Averages and exercise rates
KL Rahul averaged around 40 after two dozen matches, but reduced to 35.86 after 67 Tests. He plays with a strike rate of 51.89.
Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja averaged 47.54 after 67 Tests. His strike rate was 48.90.
Most of the hundreds
KL Rahul smashed 11 tons and 20 half-centuries in his 67 Tests. The right-handed batter hit his career-best 199 against England in 2016.
On the contrary, Khawaja had 15 tons and 25 fifties after his 67 attempts. As mentioned above, he scored his best score against Sri Lanka.
Works for a winning cause
KL Rahul has won 36 of his 67 Tests with Team India. In these matches, he scored 2,150 runs in 61 innings at an average of 37.71 and a strike rate of 52.24. In these matches, he reached five centuries and 12 fifties.
On the other hand, Usman Khawaja has been a part of 32 wins in his 67 Tests for Cricket Australia. The southpaw has amassed 2,712 runs in 57 innings at an average of 53.17 and a strike rate of 50.08. In these games, he slammed eight tons and 16 fifties.
Overall edge: Usman Khawaja
Edited by James Kuanal
