Usman Khawaja has made it clear that the ongoing talk about his retirement or his place in Australia’s squad for the remaining matches of the Ashes 2025-26 series against England is not bothering him at all.
As Australia prepares for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, Usman Khawaja said he is fully fit and ready, although he still does not know whether he will be selected in the playing eleven.
The experienced opening batsman joined the Australian team at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday, December 13 and confirmed that he feels 100 per cent fit after recovering from a back problem in Perth. Khawaja revealed that he had a personal discussion with Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Todd Greenberg.
Usman Khawaja unfazed by retirement talks, ready for third Ashes test
The Pakistan-origin batsman, who turns 39 on the second day of the third Ashes Test, insisted he is not worried by calls for retirement or asking him to step down. Khawaja, who has played 85 Test matches so far, has no plans to step down just because of outside opinion.
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He insisted that comments from fans or critics did not affect him. His focus is on training hard, preparing properly and playing every game with the same commitment he did 10 years ago. His focus remains on doing his work and enjoying cricket.
“It doesn’t really bother me (the retirement call). As much as people want to sneer at me sometimes, I love playing for Australia. I’m still very committed; even now I approach every game the same way I did 10 years ago – work hard, do everything right,” Usman Khawaja told the media in Adelaide, as quoted by The Age and Cricket Australia’s official website.
Usman Khawaja sends clear message amid Ashes 2025-26 selection doubts
The recent success of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald as the opening pair has made Usman’s return to the team uncertain. Nevertheless, Khawaja believes that he can still play a vital role for the team in the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 against England on home soil.
The left-hander also made it clear that he was not trying to hold on to his place unfairly. He believes that if the team still values him and wants to keep him on, he would be happy to continue.
Khawaja also stressed that he is always aware of the future but is not playing just to further his career. He wants to compete, enjoy the game, and help the team whenever he gets the chance.
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As long as I am valued, I am here: Usman Khawaja
He further explained, “I could have retired two years ago; I could have retired any time. But.” [I’m] The team still values me, I am still asked to play here, so I am here. I am always conscious of the future; I always have been. I’m not here to stay; I have just come here to enjoy my cricket. As long as I am given importance, I am here and doing my work. I just love to compete. I can bat in many ways.”
Usman Khawaja concluded by saying, “I’m the guy who sometimes wants to be mad at me, loves playing for Australia, and I’m still very committed. I train hard, and do everything right. The older I’ve gotten, the more comfortable I’ve become with the things I can control and the things I can’t. And I feel really good in terms of being ready to go. Everything else. Not in my control. So, we’ll see what happens.”