'Australia will T20 World Cup 2024 if...' - Usman Khawaja issues massive warning to India and other teams

Australia's Test opener Usman Khawaja has stated that his team just needs to get to the semi-final of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Khawaja believes that if Australia gets to the semi-final, they will be favorites to win the tournament.

Australia will play a do-or-die match against an Indian team, which is still unbeaten in the tournament so far. A loss or a washed-out game might not be enough for Australia, who suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of Afghanistan in their previous match.

Also read: No Kul-Cha in T20 World Cup 2024! Wasim Jaffer's massive claim on Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal ahead of Australia clash

Usman Khawaja issues a warning to the other teams

While speaking on the PTI videos in an interview ahead of the match between India and Australia, Khawaja claimed that if Australia beat India and make it to the semi-finals, they will be hard to stop.

"If Australia beats India and makes it to the semi-final, I think definitely, I think they can win. I think we've just got to get to the semi-final," Khawaja said.

Usman Khawaja claims Australia is a great knockout team

The left-hander also added that Australia have been a great knockout team over the years and have proved their potential in such situations.

"I think we've shown over the years that we're a great knockout team. As soon as there's a knockout situation, more times than not we've won, but we've just got to get there," he claimed.

When asked about his former opening partner David Warner, Khawaja replied that Warner is in good form and he wants him to finish on a high.

"As a friend, I'd love to see him (David Warner) finish on a high. He's been playing some really good cricket. It's been really nice to see. You can tell he's just enjoying being out there. He's playing pretty relaxed. So he should. Yeah, it would be good to see," Khawaja said.

The ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 is David Warner's last international assignment after which he will retire from international cricket. Warner has already announced his decision.

'India's always a threat' - Usman Khawaja

Usman Khawaja also shed light on India as an opposition team. The opener said that India is a tough team to beat as they have quality players in their line-up.

"I mean, India's always a threat. They have batters left, right and centre. They have great bowlers. They have excellent spinners. They have literally all bases covered. They always have. I wouldn't go out and say India's so far ahead, a better team than everyone else, because they're not. So I think on any day, any team can beat anyone, particularly in T20 cricket," the 37-year-old left hander said.

Usman Khawaja is an important part of Australia's Test batting line-up. The veteran batter is likely to play a key role for Australia in the 2025 home Ashes series and the series against India which will be held later this year.

Australia suffered a shocking loss to Afghanistan in their second Super 8 match in the ongoing T20 World Cup which makes their next match against India a must-win game.