IND vs AUS: Usman Khawaja reveals ideal opening partner for upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Australian opener Usman Khawaja has expressed his support for Travis Head to join him at the top of the order for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25, while advocating for Steve Smith’s return to his preferred No. 4 position in the batting lineup.

Following David Warner’s retirement from Test cricket in January, Smith was promoted to open alongside Khawaja. However, the right-hander has struggled in this unfamiliar role, accumulating just 171 runs at a modest average of 28.50 across four matches. The opening batter believes that for the team to maximize its run-scoring potential, Smith should bat at No. 4—a position where he has excelled, averaging an impressive 61.50 and amassing 5,966 runs from 67 Tests.

"He'll just probably never say it. So I'll say it for him. Opening is a very important spot (but) I still think we have the best Test player of my era in the side, Steve Smith, and his best spot has been number four. I feel like that's his best spot. I feel like the best balance for our team is (Marnus) Labuschagne three, Smith four. For me, the number one consideration is 'what's best for the team?'. What order scores us the most runs? And if you look at how many runs we scored with Davey Warner in the team and Smudge batting at four, we scored a lot of runs," Khawaja said.

"With Smudge opening, we've still won games, but I don't think we've scored as many runs as we could've. And when things are in his favour, he's almost unstoppable," he added.

In addition to advocating for Smith’s role change, the left-hand batter suggested that Travis Head, who has been successful as an opener in white-ball cricket, could be his ideal partner in the highly anticipated Test series against India.

"At the end of the day, it's a decision for the selectors. But if you have me opening, Labuschagne three, Smith four, I feel like Travis Head might be best suited. He's obviously been very successful opening the batting in one-day cricket and, breaking it down, I'd probably lean towards him," he concluded.

It is worth noting that India and Australia are set to face off in the eagerly awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a five-Test match series scheduled to take place in Australia from November 22, 2024, to January 3, 2025.

India has dominated recent encounters, including winning two consecutive series in Australia and maintaining strong performances at home.