New Delhi: Australia batsman Usman Khawaja has been a revelation for the side and the positivity in his batting has continued to follow him against New Zealand in the first Test match at Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Khawaja smashed a superb 140 runs against the Kiwis on Day 2 of the first Test and helped the visitors put up a mammoth score of 463/6. He was unbeaten on 55 runs on Friday.
Interestingly, 100 runs came from boundaries off Khawaja's bat to highlight why he is a star sensation. The left-handed maestro shared a 168-run-partnership with Adam Voges.
Khawaja had excelled in the Big Bash league T20 cricket and that saw him get a place in the Australian squad for the upcoming ICC Twenty20 World Cup. But the batsman was ignored in this month's Indian Premier League auctions which came as a big surprise.
But that hasn't hindered Khawaja's progression as he stitched in two valuable partnerships in the match. Khawaja looked at control in Wellington and that helped the Aussies.
Khawaja's Test form has been something magical and the batsman said on Saturday that he doesn't put much pressue on himself anymore.
"I don`t put too much pressure on myself any more. Every time I go out there now I`m just having fun."
Earlier, the West Indies series had seen Khawaja's return after a hamstring injury he had suffered against New Zealand in November. Khawaja played some big innings against the Kiwis and his return to the Aussie side for the Boxing Day Test in December 2015 was no surprise.
Khawaja has respended well to the faith Australia has in him. The 29-year-old has been consistent alongside skipper Steve Smith and senior batsman Adam Voges.
Khawaja was recently praised by skipper Smith for his role in Test cricket and the former has played a pivotal part in the collective cricket the side has played under the latter.
Khawaja’s confidence seems to have grown as it benefits his side given the solidity he has provided. The left-hander has been a perfect example of somebody who is enjoying fearless cricket amidst some rich form.
