Thu Jan 30 00:02:03 UTC 2025: ## Veteran Batsman Khawaja Silences Critics with Century After Border-Gavaskar Flop
**Galle, Sri Lanka** – Australian opener Usman Khawaja has emphatically responded to calls for his retirement after a disappointing Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign, smashing an unbeaten 147 on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka. The 38-year-old’s century comes after he managed only 184 runs in five matches against India.
Following his underwhelming performance in the recent series, several former cricketers had questioned Khawaja’s place in the team. However, the Australian management retained him, a decision that has been vindicated by his commanding performance in Galle. Khawaja is aiming for a double century on Day 2.
Reflecting on his career in the subcontinent, Khawaja divided it into two distinct phases – pre and post-Dubai. He alluded to difficult periods, including a mid-series drop during a Sri Lankan tour in 2016, highlighting that the public only sees the successes, not the struggles. He put his recent century into perspective by referencing even Steve Smith’s impressive Test career, noting that even the greatest batsmen don’t score centuries every game.
Khawaja, who now boasts 16 Test centuries with five coming in the subcontinent, is one of only two players, along with Allen Border, to have scored a Test hundred in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. His performance in Galle serves as a powerful testament to his resilience and experience.
First Piper 