Usman Khawaja all set to retire after Sydney Test? Michael Clarke makes a bold claim

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has made a bold claim on Usman Khawaja's future as an international cricketer. Clarke feels that Khawaja has earned the right to retire on his own terms and he should announce his retirement after the fifth Test against India in Sydney.

Khawaja hasn't been at his best in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The left-handed opener has struggled to face Jasprit Bumrah against the new ball throughout the series so far. With one more Test remaining, he is running out of time to prove himself.

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Michael Clarke wants Usman Khawaja to retire after Sydney Test

While speaking on the Beyond 23 Cricket Podcast, Michael Clarke spoke about Usman Khawaja's recent form with the bat and feels that he should announce his retirement after the Sydney Test against India as it is also his home ground.

"This is Uzzie's (Usman Khawaja) home Test match, the SCG. He has been an amazing player, absolute amazing player. Come back in, score runs overseas, score runs in Australia. He's 38 years of age, I think it could be a great opportunity for Uzzie to announce his retirement, and Sydney be his last Test," Clarke said.

Usman Khawaja is likely to open the batting alongside the young Sam Konstas in the fifth Test of the series in Sydney. Khawaja and Konstas put on 89 runs for the first wicket in the first innings of the Melbourne Test. Khawaja scored 57 and 21 across both the innings of the match.

Michael Clarke wants a new opening pair for Australia

Michael Clarke also revealed the reason why he wants Usman Khawaja to announce his retirement. Australia have an away series against Sri Lanka next and Clarke wants a young opener to get the exposure before next year's Ashes series.

"I know he would like to keep playing. His form has not been as good as he would like throughout this series. I know we've got a trip to Sri Lanka, and then we've got the Ashes," Clarke noted.

"There's a lot of cricket in between, but I also think that could be a great opportunity for a new player to come in, open the batting, get some Test match cricket under their belt before the first Ashes Test match," he added.

Clarke reckons that Khawaja has earned the right to retire on his own terms after incredible performances over the years. He feels that it will be perfect for him to retire at his home ground in front of his family.

"Uzzie's 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 awesome opportunity," the former Australia skipper concluded.

Usman Khawaja in BGT 2024-25

Usman Khawaja has been a vital part of Australia's Test team over the years. The 38-year-old has scored 5592 runs at an average of 44.38 in the 77 Tests he has played so far with 15 hundreds and 27 fifties.

However, he has struggled for runs in the ongoing series where he has collected just 141 runs in four Tests at an average of just 20.14. He has scored just one fifty in this series which came in the last Test match in Melbourne.