It was only a couple of months ago that Usman Khawaja played the innings of his life to ensure Australia escaped with a draw against Pakistan in UAE. Khawaja batted for over nine hours in a marathon knock of 141 on a Day Five pitch against a formidable Pakistan attack.

The innings was inked as the next step in his career. It was the innings that had given Australia hope that their batting can deliver in the absence of David Warner and Steven Smith on home soil against India.