AUS vs IND: Michael Clarke predicts Sydney Test as farewell game for veteran Aussie

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has suggested that Usman Khawaja should consider announcing his retirement during the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25.

Clarke believes that Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)Khawaja’s headquarters, would be the ideal setting for the veteran batsman to bid farewell to international cricket. The 38-year-old left-hander has been under scrutiny after a lackluster performance in the ongoing series against India. Despite his immense contributions to Australian cricket since his retirement in 2022, Khawaja’s form has dipped, and Clarke sees this as a golden opportunity for him to step away on his own terms.

Struggles in BGT series against India: Michael Clarke points out

Khawaja’s recent performances have not lived up to expectations. In the ongoing series against Indiahe has managed just 141 runs in eight innings, at a modest average of 20.14, with a solitary half-century. His struggles against Jasprit Bumrah, India’s spearheadhave been particularly notable. During 2024, Khawaja has played nine Tests, scoring 415 runs at an average of 25.93. That’s a steep drop from his stellar averages of 67.50 in 2022 and 52.60 in 2023.

Despite these challenges, Clarke praised Khawaja’s remarkable career, particularly his ability to perform both at home and abroad. “This is Uzzie’s home Test match, the SCG. He has been an incredible player, scoring runs overseas and in Australia. At 38 years of age, I think this could be a great opportunity for Uzzie to announce the his retirement and take the final test in Sydney.” Clarke shared on the Beyond 23 Cricket podcast.

A window of opportunity for the new generation of players

Clarke stressed the importance of planning ahead, suggesting Khawaja’s withdrawal would give Australia enough time to prepare a new opener before the 2025-26 Ashes series at home. Since then, Australia has been looking for a stable opening partner David Warnerretirement has still continued. Several players, among them Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney and young Constas himselfthey have partnered Khawaja at the top of the order. Konstas recently showed promise with a debut fifty but has not been tested in tough conditions.

“I know he’d like to keep playing. His form hasn’t been as good as he’d like throughout this series. I know we’ve got a trip to Sri Lanka, and then we’ve got the Ashes. There’s a lot of cricket in between, but also I think it could be a great opportunity for a new player to come in, open the batting, get some Test match cricket before the first Ashes Test match.” added the 43-year-old.

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The Sydney Test: Final match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy

Clarke believed retiring in front of a home crowd would be a fitting conclusion to Khawaja’s illustrious career, especially with age and form becoming key considerations. Since his retirement in 2022, Khawaja has amassed 2,705 runs in 33 Tests at an average of 49.18, including seven centuries and a career-best 195*. Throughout his career, he has scored 5,592 runs at an average of 44.38, with 15 centuries and 27 fifties.

“Uzzie has earned the right to do his own thing. But, I just thought maybe this could be the perfect time for him to finish on his own terms. In front of family and friends, Sydney Test match, what an amazing opportunity” , Clarke concluded.

As Australia prepare for the decisive fifth Test starting on January 3, they aim to seal a historic series win over India, reclaiming the coveted trophy for the first time since 2025. For Khawaja, it could mark the end of an illustrious career in one venue. where his journey began.

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