‘Khawaja mere khawaja, dil me sama ja’ – Fans applaud Usman Khawaja as he closes in on maiden 200

Published on January 5, 2023

In the ongoing third Test match between Australia and South Africa, which is played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the hosts are firmly in control while batting first as they scored 475 runs with the loss of 4 wickets at the end of play on Day 2.

The standout performers of the day were the opener Usman Khawaja, right-hand batter Steven Smith, and all-rounder Travis Head.

The second day first saw the century of the former skipper Smith, who along with his teammate Khawaja built up a partnership of 109 runs for the third wicket before the Proteas’ left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj sent him back to the pavilion. The 33-year-old played a brilliant knock of 104 runs off 192 balls with 11 fours and two sixes.

Usman Khawaja – King of Sydney Cricket Ground

After Smith’s departure, Khawaja took the charge of scoring runs and he completed the 13th ton of his Test career. This is the third century of this series. The 36-year-old is still on the crease and is playing on 195 runs from 368 balls, which includes 19 boundaries and a six.

After pulling Kagiso Rabada into the deep for a run while batting on 98, Khawaja hurried back for a dangerous second run before running off towards the Members’ Stand and raising his right fist in celebration of his century.

As of now, Khawaja is the only Australian to average more than 100 in Sydney Tests (minimum five innings), a feat shared only by England’s Wally Hammond (161.60) and India’s Sachin Tendulkar (157) in the ground’s illustrious history.

He also becomes the seventh player in Sydney’s historical past to score four or more Test hundreds, a group that includes Warner, and the first Australian since Doug Walters in 1969 to score three centuries in three Test innings at the SCG.

The left-hand batter, along with Head, has scored 112 runs for the fourth wicket in just 19 overs before the latter got dismissed after a quickfire knock of 70 runs off just 59 balls, which included eight fours and a six.

Here are some Tweets where fans are applauding the left-hand opener Usman Khawaja:

Usman Khawaja is loving it at the SCG 💯 pic.twitter.com/kggvrBaraG
— FAIZ FAZEL (@theFaizFazel) January 5, 2023

Usman Khawaja is on 195 and it started raining
— cric_mawa (@cric_mawa_twts) January 5, 2023

Planning to watch Usman Khawaja Triple Century?
— President Misbah (@PresidentMisbah) January 5, 2023

Justin Langer Khoon ke aasnu rota hoga Usman Khawaja ko aise run banate dekh ke🤣🤣🤣🤣
— kaali (@oddtake) January 5, 2023

Usman Khawaja test cricket of the year and probably one of the best come back stories in cricket.
— Buttony tashinga (@ButtonyTashinga) January 5, 2023

Usman khawaja he's the man could be threat for us in February 🥲
— VINAY RAAM (@VINAYRAAM4) January 5, 2023

Usman Khawaja following Ms Dhoni style, protecting his bat from rain. #AUSvSA #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/B4FhoJea0W
— Resanth. (@Cric_Resanth) January 5, 2023

Usman Khawaja scored 195* as Australia posted 475-4 in their 1st innings against South Africa before rain ended play on day 2 of the 3rd Test in Sydney. #AUSvsSA
— FAIZ FAZEL (@theFaizFazel) January 5, 2023