New Delhi: Australian opener Usman Khawaja scored a century in the fourth Test between India and Australia and took his team to a great position on day 1. At the end of the day, Khawaja revealed that he asked Cameron Green to give him a hug after he reached his ton. It was his century along with contributions from the top order that helped Australia to post 255/4 on the first day.
After Khawaja reached his ton, Green and him shared a hug. After the day, the batter told that he had the helmet in his right hand and asked Green to just give him a hug instead of a high-five. He added that he does not have any superstitions and he had stretched a bit in the morning and was ready to go.
First ? for Usman Khawaja against India and what a time to get it ?#INDvAUS #BGT2023 #UsmanKhawaja #SteveSmith #ViratKohli #Cricket pic.twitter.com/Xv4QAtP46z
— Abdullah Liaquat (@im_abdullah115) March 9, 2023
Talking about his inning, Khawaja said that it was a ‘mental battle’ and one needed to bat for a long time. On scoring the century, he said that it was an emotional and long journey. Khawaja said that Travis Head took down the new ball and it was good to watch him from the other end. About the pitch, he said that it was such a nice wicket and he did not want to give his wicket away.
The pitch is better to bat on, especially when compared to the turf in Indore. The ball kept low, but a batter could easily counter that with patience.
Khawaja is playing at 104* off 251 and while it was a slow and patient inning, he also hit 14 fours. With him is Green, who is currently at 49* as he accelerated when India took the new ball. Apart from the ongoing 85-run stand between Khawaja and Green, the 79(248) runs between Khawaja and Steve Smith was crucial in setting the tone of the game.
Travis Head, who was playing attacking cricket after KS Bharat dropped him in Umesh Yadav’s over, was finally dismissed at 32 after he found Ravindra Jadeja on mid-on. Marnus Labuschagne’s stumps were soon spread apart by Mohammed Shami. Shami also bowled Peter Handscomb later.
The crucial wicket of Steve Smith was picked by Jadeja after the ball got an edge and landed on the stumps. Smith, who looked brilliant, had to depart for 38(135).
India will look to get Australia out soon on day 2 and take the advantage of the pitch before it deteriorates.
