'What a journey': Cummins, Dhawan salute Usman Khawaja as Australia batter confirms farewell at SCG

Australia captain Pat Cummins and former India opener Shikhar Dhawan led the tributes after Usman Khawaja announced he will retire from international cricket following the fifth and final Ashes Test, starting January 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

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Khawaja, 39, will bring the curtain down on a distinguished 15-year international career at his home venue, walking into his farewell Test just 30 runs shy of overtaking Michael Hussey’s 6,235 runs to move into 14th place on Australia’s all-time Test run-scorers list.




Congratulating his long-time teammate, Cummins posted a celebratory picture with Khawaja on social media and expressed hope of one final landmark knock. “Congratulations on an incredible international career, mate. One more home century to go,” the Australia skipper wrote on his Instagram handle.

Dhawan also reacted warmly to the announcement, praising Khawaja’s journey across cultures and conditions. “What a journey, @Uz_Khawaja. Good luck for the last Test in Sydney and everything that comes next,” the former India opener shared on X.

Speaking to reporters at the SCG, Khawaja said the decision had been building for some time and was shaped by conversations with his wife, Rachel. “Moving into this series, I kind of had an inkling that this would be the last one,” he said, adding that head coach Andrew McDonald had continued to explore ways for him to extend his career until recently.

Khawaja said retiring on his own terms, at a ground he loves, brought a sense of closure. “I’m glad I get to leave with a bit of dignity and go out at the SCG,” he said, admitting that moments earlier in the series helped him gain clarity about the timing.

Across formats, Khawaja finishes with over 8,000 international runs from 87 Tests, 40 ODIs and nine T20Is. He was named ICC Test Cricketer of the Year in 2023 and was part of Australia’s World Test Championship triumph. Khawaja has confirmed he will continue playing domestic cricket, including the Big Bash League, after his international farewell.


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