At 37, Australian opener Usman Khawaja is defying the widespread narrative surrounding his age in cricket. Contemporary off a stellar 2023 and just lately topped ICC Take a look at Participant of the Yr, Khawaja is brushing apart retirement discuss, selecting to give attention to the current and the upcoming Take a look at sequence towards New Zealand.
Dwelling within the Second: “There is no finishing line”
Khawaja acknowledges the fleeting nature of cricket careers, stating, “There is no finishing line.” He prioritizes residing within the second over dwelling on an unsure future. “I’m trying not to look too far ahead,” he says, highlighting the potential pitfalls of overthinking in a sport identified for its unpredictable nature.
Regardless of a demanding taking part in schedule in 2023, Khawaja’s ardour for the sport and dedication to his group stay sturdy. He acknowledges the significance of psychological resilience on the Take a look at stage, particularly for a seasoned participant like him.
“I understand I’m 37, so people always ask me about the finishing line,” he says. Nevertheless, he finds inspiration from teammates like Nathan Lyon (36) and Steven Smith (35), highlighting the worth of expertise inside the group. “For me, it’s about contributing for the team and making sure I’m enjoying it,” he emphasizes.
Potential for Prolonged Profession, However Focus Stays on the Current
The upcoming break within the Take a look at calendar presents a possible alternative for Khawaja to increase his profession. Nevertheless, he stays true to his philosophy of residing within the second. “I don’t want to look too far ahead,” he remarks, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of sports activities careers.
Khawaja’s laid-back strategy extends past cricket, usually inflicting amusement (and maybe delicate exasperation) for his spouse. He admits to disliking meticulous planning, preferring to “go with the flow.” This mindset, whereas a supply of amusement for his spouse, has confirmed to be a supply of energy on the cricket area.
“For me, I guess there is no finishing line,” he reiterates. He acknowledges that he can envision himself taking part in subsequent summer time, however chooses to give attention to the instant problem: “This next Test match, this next innings, then I’ll worry about the next.”
Khawaja’s distinctive strategy to the sport and his dedication to having fun with the current are an inspiration to gamers of all ages. As he continues to defy expectations and excel on the sphere, followers can anticipate to see him for the foreseeable future, one Take a look at match and one innings at a time.
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