Due to a visa delay, Usman Khawaja, the Australian Opener, was compelled to forgo his flight to India on Wednesday. Khawaja, who is now due to depart on Thursday, was not with the Australia team when they travelled for the high-profile four-Test series against India. While this Khawaja posted a meme on social media ”Me waiting for my Indian Visa like… #stranded #dontleaveme #standard #anytimenow”
However, Australian celebrity, has previously also faced trouble obtaining a visa for India. According to ESPNCricinfo, he was refused a visa in 2011 to participate in the Champions League T20 until the situation was settled with the help of the government.
Me waiting for my Indian Visa like… #stranded #dontleaveme #standard #anytimenow https://t.co/pCGfagDyC1
— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) February 1, 2023
Usman Khawaja hasn't been granted visa for India to travel for the series this month. Extremely unfortunate this as he's played all his cricket in Australia and represents Australia too. He was born in Islamabad and has traveled to Pakistan a few times only. #INDvAUS
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) February 1, 2023
Usman Khawaja was born in Pakistan and has represented Australia in 56 Tests, 40 ODIs, and nine T20 matches. In 2016, the 36-year-old also participated in the IPL. On Monday, he received the prestigious Shane Warne Award for Australia’s Test Player of the Year.
Before heading to Nagpur for the first Test beginning on February 9, Australia will hold a four-day training camp in the suburbs of Bengaluru. Delhi, Dharamsala, and Ahmedabad are the other locations.
The World Test Championship final is a possibility for both sides. Australia decided against playing in a tour game in India before the important series because they thought the playing surfaces would be very different from those they would encounter in the four Test matches.
