'Inclusivity and values as a sport are so important' - Usman Khawaja delighted with Pat Cummins' gesture of stopping champagne celebration for him

Usman Khawaja made one of the best comebacks possible with centuries in each innings of the Sydney Test and looked in fine touch with the bat. Despite him arriving late in the series, he still had a role to play in the victory and deserved the respect that the Australian side had shown him during the celebrations. The Pat Cummins–led side was handed the Ashes urn and the members of the squad took the stage to celebrate the victory.

Khawaja who was with the squad had quickly moved out of the stage once the champagne celebrations started but Cummins recalled him into the stage by stopping the celebrations for a moment. The 35-year-old was back on the stage for the photo and it could not have been a better move from the Australian skipper to value every individual’s religious beliefs. It has to be noted that the left-hand batter was born in Pakistan and he is the first Muslim cricketer to play for the Australian side.

Feel like we are trending in the right direction: Usman Khawaja

Khawaja was very much happy to have support from the Australian side during the celebrations and he posted the video of Cummins halting the champagne celebrations to value the left-hander’s beliefs. He added that this is a pure example of how the world should see cricketers of every descent as there have been a lot of racism issues reported now.

“If this video doesn’t show you that the boys have my back, I don’t know what will. They stopped their normal champagne celebrations so I could rejoin. Inclusivity in the game and our values as a sport are so important. I feel like we are trending in the right direction” Khawaja tweeted

If this video doesn't show you that the boys have my back, I don't know what will. They stopped their normal champagne celebrations so I could rejoin. Inclusivity in the game and our values as a sport are so important. I feel like we are trending in the right direction 🙏🏾🇦🇺 https://t.co/LrthzP9v2N

— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) January 17, 2022

Khawaja did not get a game for the first three Tests until Travis Head tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the fourth Test. Khawaja was brought in to replace Head in the middle order and he immediately repaid the faith with twin centuries. His impeccable form ensured that the hosts had to leave out Marcus Harris had to be left out of the fifth Test to accommodate Head and Khawaja. Australia had retained the Ashes again with the 4-0 win over England and they have completed dominated the series at all ends.