"I think him (Peter Handscomb) and Uzzy (Usman Khawaja) have probably been our two best batters in this series," said Australian captain Steve Smith ahead of the fourth Test against India. While Peter Handscomb was left perplexed by Mohammed Shami's thunderbolt, Usman Khawaja stood tall on his skipper's assessment and cracked a majestic century on Day 1 of the fourth Test at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 09 (Thursday). The Aussie opener remained unbeaten on 104 runs off 251 balls which he scored with the help of 15 boundaries. Khawaja's brilliance coupled with handy contributions from other batters propelled Australia's total to 255/4 on Day 1.
The stylish left-handed opening batter reflected on his terrific knock and the journey leading up to this point of jubilation.
"It was a lot of emotion in that," Khawaja told the host broadcaster Star Sports after the completion of Day 1.
"I have been to India on two tours before this, and carried the drinks in eight Test matches. It was such a nice wicket; I just didn't want to give my wicket away. It was a mental battle more than anything. You need to put your ego away. I've got no superstitions... just run through, stretch," the elegant southpaw added.
On a wicket that had plenty of runs on offer, the left-handed Aussie opener oozed class and displayed immaculate determination to counter the Indian bowling attack, which in patches, looked full of zeal and confidence. All Australian batters Marnus Labuschagne (3) got starts but failed to convert them into a solid individual score.
Khawaja played second fiddle to all his partners, starting from Travis Head (32) and then Steve Smith (38) before witnessing Cameron Green (49 not out) unleash a flurry of boundaries from the best seat in the house (non-striker's end). The Aussie southpaw registered three fifty-plus partnerships before notching his 14th Test hundred in the last over of Day 1 with an elegant clip of his legs for a boundary.
Khawaja will now look to convert his century into a double ton on Day 2 and put Australia in the driver's seat early.
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