Australia vs India 2018: Justin Langer Hopes to See Usman Khawaja in Adelaide Test

Australia coach, Justin Langer says Usman Khawaja is expected to get fit in time for the first Test against India, which begins on December 6th in Adelaide. Meanwhile, the left-handed batsman injured himself during the second Test match against Pakistan in the Abu Dhabi.

Usman Khawaja is the key, reckons Langer

However, Usman is playing as the backbone of the Australia team since the suspension of Steven Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft. Also, Khawaja played a brilliant inning in the first Test against Pakistan to help the visitors salvage a draw.

Meanwhile, Khawaja had scored 85 and 141 runs in the first Test before injuring his knee while training during the second Test. It is doubtful whether Usman Khawaja can participate in the four-match Test series against India or not.

Moreover, it would be a massive blow for the Baggy Green if Usman Khawaja fails to make up for the Test series. They are already missing three experienced batsmen because of the ball-tampering issue in Cape Town Test. However, Langer, on Wednesday, said he had some grounds for optimism.

“My understanding is that he had surgery this morning, so I haven’t heard the results yet,” Justin Langer told Melbourne’s SEN radio.

“But hopefully, some of my messages yesterday were that he might be up for the (Sheffield) Shield game before the first Test match, which would be a real bonus for us,” he added.

Furthermore, Australia has full confidence in the bowling attack, but they are not confident enough with the batting lineup. Langer moreover said Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch, and all-rounder Marnus Labuschagne had a good series against Pakistan.

“When you continue to bat like we are batting in Australian cricket at the moment, it’s always open,” Langer said.

“I think we’ve had 25 batting collapses in the last three years. It’s very open because we’re not performing,” he added.

However, Australia will play three T20Is, four Test matches and three ODIs against India commencing from November 21, 2018.