IND vs AUS: Usman Khawaja stabs Steve Smith; creates a new bond with Travis Head

Australian opener Usman Khawaja has confirmed that Steve Smith wants to bat at number four during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25.

Usman Khawaja also backed Travis Head as his opening partner for the five-match Test series against India at home later this year.

Australia has lost four consecutive Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, including two at home in 2018/19 and 2020/21.

There is ongoing debate about whether Steve Smith should remain as an opener in the upcoming series. The Pat Cummins-led team will have to give their best to defeat India.

Steve Smith Will Just Probably Never Say It - Usman Khawaja

The Australian team management promoted Steve Smith to the opening position to accommodate the best six batters. However, speaking with Fox Sports Australia, Usman Khawaja stated that Smith's ideal position in Australia's batting order is at No. 4.

"He’ll just probably never say it. So I’ll say it for him. Opening is a very important spot … (but) I still think we have the best Test player of my era in the side, in Steve Smith, and his best spot has been number four. I feel like that’s his best spot. I feel like the best balance for our team is (Marnus) Labuschagne three, Smith four," Khawaja told Fox Cricket.

The 35-year-old was promoted to opener in Test cricket following David Warner's retirement. However, this change hasn't worked well for the Men in Yellow.

The star batter has scored 171 runs in eight innings at an average of 28.5. It will be interesting to see whether Smith will return to the No. 4 spot.

Don't Think We've Scored As Many Runs - Usman Khawaja

Khawaja highlighted that Australia has struggled to score after altering their batting lineup. He said that Australia hasn't scored as many runs as they could have with Smith at the top of the order.

“For me, the number one consideration is ‘what’s best for the team?’. What order scores us the most runs? And if you look at how many runs we scored with Davey Warner in the team and Smudge batting at four, we scored a lot of runs. With Smudge opening, we’ve still won games, but I don’t think we’ve scored as many runs as we could’ve," he added.

Travis Head Might Be Best Suited - Usman Khawaja

In the same interaction, Usman Khawaja said that Australia might need to adjust their batting lineup again if Steve Smith bats at No. 4. Khawaja said Head could be well-suited for the role but added that the final decision rests with the selectors.

"At the end of the day, it’s a decision for the selectors. But if you have me opening, Labuschagne three, Smith four … I feel like Travis Head might be best suited. He’s obviously been very successful opening the batting in one-day cricket and, breaking it down, I’d probably lean towards him. But again, it’s not my decision," Khawaja opined.

Travis Head made headlines by scoring 59 runs off just 23 balls in the first T20 match against England. The left-handed batter also scored 30 runs in a single over against Sam Curran. The Mitchell Marsh-led team secured a 28-run victory in the series opener and started the series on a winning note.

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