Sydney, 03 January (H.S.): Australian batting maestro Steven Smith lavished praise on retiring opener Usman Khawaja's brilliant Test career on Friday, revealing that he recognised the left-hander's elite potential from their New South Wales under-age encounters ahead of the Ashes decider at the SCG. Paying tribute ahead of Khawaja's farewell Sunday, Smith credited the 38-year-old's uncanny ability to read length early and pull deliveries from stump height—a hallmark evident from youth ranks—as the cornerstone of his consistent evolution across 15 illustrious years.

Khawaja's swansong caps a journey punctuated by repeated axings—particularly on spin-unfriendly subcontinental pitches—yet punctuated by reinvention: post-2018 Asian struggles that saw Smith wield the captaincy axe, Khawaja returned transformed, morphing into Australia's premier spinner-tamer.

Smith conceded the tough calls but affirmed those very subcontinental fireshapes proved beneficial, cementing Khawaja among the nation's finest against turn.

The opener's bombshell retirement signals Australia's Test transition: with 21 fixtures—including World Test Championship final and 2027 Ashes—looming across 11 months, Smith emphatically distanced himself from exit whispers, vowing to shepherd youth through choppy waters.

I have no fixed end date in mind, he clarified, rejecting mass veteran exodus as detrimental, pledging leadership to impart Test cricket's arcane wisdoms. Smith spotlighted recent collective resilience—diverse match-winners rising situationally—forging Australia's preeminent Test outfit.

Sidestepping Khawaja's retirement presser allegations of racial discrimination and disparate treatment, Smith dismissed pre-Perth preparation critiques as unfair, insisting the veteran maintained unwavering routines unmarred by one injury. Smith's ringing endorsement underscores Khawaja's legacy: from junior prodigy to Ashes warrior, his tenacity redefined Australian opening amid relentless scrutiny.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar