Australia Star Usman Khawaja Misses Flight To India. Here’s Why

Australia opener Usman Khawaja was forced was forced to miss his flight to India on Wednesday due to visa issues. Australia’s squad left for India’s high-profile four-Test series without Khawaja, who is now set to leave on Thursday. “Me waiting for my Indian Visa like… #stranded #dontleaveme #standard #anytimenow,” wrote Khawaja while posting a meme on social media.

Me waiting for my Indian Visa like… #stranded #dontleaveme #standard #anytimenow https://t.co/pCGfagDyC1

— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) February 1, 2023

The Pakistan-born batsman has appeared in 56 Tests, 40 One-Day Internationals, and nine Twenty20 Internationals for Australia. In 2016, the 36-year-old also played in the IPL.

Usman Khawaja is ready for the four-match series. He recently won the Shane Warne Medal for being Australia’s greatest Test player last year. He thanked his wife for everything she had done for him in his acceptance speech.

“You are the rock. You know how much I love you. When I got dropped in 2019, you gave me unconditional love. I’m getting emotional thinking about a very tough time in my life. You loved me when I was playing for Australia, you loved me when I was playing for Queensland, even when I was a ‘clubbie’ playing for ‘Valleys’ you gave me unconditional love. You love Usman Khawaja the person, not Usman Khawaja the cricketer – and for that, I’m truly indebted to you. Without you, I wouldn’t be standing here right now,” he had said.

Australia will hold a four-day training camp on the outskirts of Bengaluru before travelling to Nagpur for the first Test, which will begin on February 9. Other locations include Delhi, Dharamsala, and Ahmedabad.

Both teams are in contention to compete in the World Test Championship final.

Australia has opted out of a tour game in India ahead of the important series, believing that the surfaces in practise games would be vastly different from those in the four Tests.

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