3 reasons why Usman Khawaja retiring from Tests after Ashes 2025-26 is the wrong move

Veteran Australian batter Usman Khawaja has announced that he will retire from international cricket after the 2025–26 Ashes series. The fifth Test in Sydney, starting on Sunday, January 4, will be his final match for Australia.

Khawaja made his Test debut in 2011 and had an up-and-down career. He played 87 Test matches and scored 6,206 runs at an average of 43.39, including 16 centuries. He was part of the Australian team that won the 2023 World Test Championship and also reached the final again two years later.

Speaking ahead of the Sydney Test, Khawaja said he is happy to retire on his own terms at the SCG, a ground he loves. He admitted that the start of the series was difficult and not being picked initially for the Adelaide Test made him feel it was time to move on.

With that in mind, let us look at three reasons why Usman Khawaja's retirement from Test cricket after the 2025–26 Ashes may not be the right decision.

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3. Australia Lack a Clear Backup Plan

Australia do not have a clear plan to replace Usman Khawaja. A similar situation happened a few years ago when David Warner retired during the home season. Even though Australia had time to plan, the transition did not go well. Moving Steve Smith up the order failed, while Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney did not get enough chances. Marnus Labuschagne also had to open briefly.

Khawaja was the one stable player in a confused batting unit. With his exit, Australia now face a big problem. They can either push Travis Head to open and strengthen the middle order with players like Josh Inglis and Jake Weatherald, or bring in a completely new opening pair from domestic cricket. Neither option is ideal, especially as the new World Test Championship cycle has just begun. Australia would have preferred more stability, and Khawaja provided exactly that.

2. His Experience Was Crucial for Tough Tours

Khawaja became a much better player against spin after the 2021 Ashes. He played a key role in Australia’s wins in Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka on the way to the 2023 World Test Championship final. Since 2022, he has scored 1,261 runs in subcontinent Tests at an average of 84, making him Australia’s best batter in such conditions.

Australia are set to tour Bangladesh and India later in the WTC cycle. They have not played a Test series in Bangladesh for 11 years and have not won a series in India since 2004. In the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Khawaja was Australia’s top scorer. Replacing a player with such a strong record will be difficult, and any poor result could hurt Australia’s chances of reaching the WTC final.

1. Australia Will Miss His Versatility

Khawaja has helped Australia many times with his flexibility. He returned to the team in the 2021–22 Ashes at No.5 and scored two centuries in Sydney. He then became a regular opener and held the role for four years. Even recently, when Steve Smith missed a Test in Adelaide, Khawaja moved back to the middle order and scored an important half-century.

With many tough matches ahead, Australia needed experienced players who could adjust to different roles. Khawaja was one such player. Without him, the team will now have to depend on new faces and show patience as they settle into the side.