'No finishing line' in Usman Khawaja's retirement plans

In the world of cricket, where speculation about retirement is often a hot topic, Australian batter Usman Khawaja is defying the odds. The 37-year-old, recently crowned ICC Test Player of the Year, is gearing up for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand with a clear mindset – retirement not on the radar.

Khawaja, coming off a stellar 2023 campaign, remains focused on the immediate challenges, brushing aside discussions about the finishing line. "There is no finishing line," he asserts, emphasising the importance of the present over an uncertain future. As he prepares to team up with Steven Smith at the top of the order, Khawaja acknowledges the unpredictable nature of the game.

“I’m trying not to look too far ahead, No.1 because I don’t trust the game, the game’s tough. And I know not to look too far ahead because it can bring you back down to reality very quickly,” he candidly remarks, highlighting the sport's inherent challenges, as quoted by Foxsports.com.au

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Despite a demanding 2023 workload, Khawaja's commitment to contributing to the team and enjoying the game remains unwavering. The seasoned player, with 12 years of international experience, understands the significance of mental readiness at the Test level.

“I understand I’m 37, so people always ask me about the finishing line, but we’ve got a few guys like Nathan Lyon’s 36, Smith’s 35, we’ve got a few experienced players in the team. But for me it’s just about contributing for the team and I’ve said before making sure I’m enjoying it, making sure I’m mentally ready to play at the Test level," he added.

Discussing the upcoming break in the Test calendar, Khawaja sees it as a potential factor in extending his cricketing journey. However, he remains true to his philosophy of living in the moment.

“I don’t want to look too far ahead because two years is a long time in sport, one year is a long time in sport, three years is a long time in sport and so there is a decent gap coming up,” he said.

For me I guess there is no finishing line: Khawaja

Khawaja's approach to cricket aligns with his laid-back attitude towards life, much to his wife's chagrin. Refusing to succumb to meticulous planning, he prefers to "go with the flow." This mindset, while unsettling for his planner-oriented spouse, has been a source of strength for Khawaja on the cricket field.

"So for me I guess there is no finishing line. Honestly, someone says, ‘Can you see yourself playing next summer’? I’m probably like, ‘Yeah’, but I’m not gonna let my mind drift off there. So for me, it’s just about this next Test match, this next innings, then I’ll worry about the next. My wife hates it ‘cause I’m not a planner and I don’t plan for that reason.

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She’s like, ‘Oh, when are you leaving for your flight?’ the other day. And I’m like, ‘I don’t know’. She’s like, ‘You’re flying tomorrow’. I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’ll figure that out tonight’. She hates it ‘cause she likes to plan. I’m just sort of go with the flow kind of thing. And I think that’s what helps me a little bit with cricket and making sure I don’t look too far ahead ‘cause it didn’t pass when I have looked too far ahead, that’s when I got myself in trouble," Khawaj concluded.

As the cricketing world wonders about the longevity of Khawaja's career, the man himself remains focused on the next Test match, the next innings. Retirement may be a topic for others to ponder, but for Usman Khawaja, it's simply not on the horizon.