Australian opener Usman Khawaja continued his poor kind within the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in opposition to India at residence as he fell to Indian tempo spearhead Jasprit Bumrah but once more through the fifth and closing Test in Sydney on Friday. During the final ball of the day one’s play, the ball touched the skin fringe of Khawaja’s bat and went into KL Rahul’s arms at slips. Khawaja was again within the hut for simply two runs in 10 balls. Khawaja’s report in opposition to Bumrah on this collection is dismal. In eight innings, the 38-year-old has performed 112 balls in opposition to the red-hot Indian pacer, scored simply 33 runs and acquired out six occasions. His batting common in opposition to Bumrah is barely 5.50.
There’s just one different occasion of an Indian bowler dismissing an opposition batter as many occasions in a collection – Alastair Cook of England six occasions by Ravindra Jadeja in India in 2016.
In 5 Tests and 9 innings this collection, Khawaja has made simply 143 runs at a median of 17.87, with only one half-century. His greatest rating is 57. He has made only one fifty on this collection.
After two prolific years with the bat since his recall in 2022, Khawaja’s kind took a severe nosedive in 2024. During final yr, he made simply 415 runs in 9 Tests and 18 innings at a median of 25.93, with two half-centuries and greatest rating of 75.
Since his recall, Khawaja has performed 34 Tests and made 2,707 runs in 63 innings at a median of above 48 with seven centuries and 13 fifties, with one of the best rating of 195*. But it’s his latest kind that has sparked worries. Will Khawaja be dropped or backed to play the following Ashes collection at residence later this yr, solely time will inform.
Coming to the match, India gained the toss and elected to bat first. India was off to a disappointing begin but once more as the highest order threw away their wickets, particularly Virat Kohli (17) who continued his struggles with outdoors off-stump deliveries.
However, the combat by Rishabh Pant (40 in 98 balls, with three fours and a six), Ravindra Jadeja (26 in 95 balls, with three fours) and skipper Jasprit Bumrah (22 in 17 balls, with three fours and a six) pushed India to 185/10 in 72.2 overs.
Scott Boland (4/31) was the decide of the bowlers for the Aussies and as soon as once more a thorn within the eyes of Indian batters. Mitchell Starc took 3/49 whereas Pat Cummins acquired 2/37.
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