Usman Khawaja Century Against Sri Lanka
On the first day of the Australia-Sri Lanka series at the Galle International Stadium, Usman Khawaja made a massive statement, silencing every critic and ending a century wait that dated back to the 2023 Ashes. Criticized for his form during the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, in which he scored merely 184 runs at an average of 20.44, Khawaja returned to his 16th Test century with a masterly performance against Sri Lanka, coming off just 135 balls.
Khawaja’s innings represented grit and understanding. The pressure had been a bit noticeable coming into the match. His time in India had been somewhat modest, dwarfed by players like Jasprit Bumrah who dismissed him six times in nine innings. But on this particular day in Galle Khawaja had metamorphosed into a different man, interpreting the spin-friendly conditions with aggression as well as defense.
The innings got underway with Khawaja with intent, even making sure the Sri Lankan spinners were not allowed into a rhythm. He had good footwork, stepping down the track to disrupt the lengths of bowlers, particularly against Jayasuriya’s left-arm spin and Vandersay’s leg spin. He was methodical with his approach; he waited for the ball to be delivered late, using the pace of the deliveries on the slow pitch to his advantage.
Khawaja’s hundred was punctuated by 8 fours, a lone six, showing he had not only survived but had taken command of the occasion. One fine example was a timed boundary off a leg glance to complete his hundred-a moment of pure class that had the Australian faction in the stands on their feet. Khawaja’s innings displayed his knack for finding gaps with precision, especially on the off side. The six was a rare moment of aggression, coming off a flighted delivery from Jayasuriya and despatched effortlessly through mid-wicket with a clean swing of his bat.
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The century was significant not just because of the timing but also for the context. Khawaja made this break through centuries after 592 days-a phase brimming with worthy contributions in the 40-odd runs but no big total to take back home. The century which he raised his bat to from this innings was his first Test hundred since the first Test of the Ashes back in 2023 and thus he nurtured a far sweeter feeling as it came on a foreign soil, somewhere he has often struggled in the past.
Also critical to the team plans for the series, with a massive foundation laid by Khawaja, Australia were now in a position to throw all their weight to go for a big score in the first innings, cajoling pressure on a Sri Lankan batting lineup unacquainted with such demanding conditions. For Khawaja, it was also a personal exoneration; a case to his worth at the top and perhaps a spot secured in the subsequent matches.
The innings wasn’t without its share of luck: he had been dropped on two occasions, certainly adding to the story of his particular day. Nevertheless, once he got himself together, the concentration level was shot through the roof, the shot-selection was pure class, and his reading of the idiosyncrasies of the pitch was to be commended.
To put it in broader terms, the century in this century has proven to be a testament to Khawaja’s class and experience, being in silver jubilee whilst many within this profession contemplate retirement. Such an innings had rekindled thoughts on his role in the Australian squad henceforth, especially with tours lined up and the inescapable test of adapting to differing playing conditions.
The positive tone around Australia was set by Khawaja’s knock, not only pointed out his personal reemergence but also showed the team rose against recent hurdles. This glorious day in Galle would be stamped in gold in the archive of his illustrious career; who knows, it might even enable him to embark on a launchpad for greater performances in the sunset days of his career.
