NEW DELHI: Australian opener Usman Khawaja delivered a resounding response to his critics, crafting a sublime century on a turning track in Galle during the first Test against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
His 16th Test hundred, achieved in the second session, ended a 19-month wait for a triple-figure score and reaffirmed his importance in Australia’s red-ball squad.
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Known for his composure and mental toughness, Khawaja reflected on overcoming rough patches in his career. Speaking after the day’s play, he credited his faith, family, and perspective beyond cricket for keeping him grounded.
“This hundred is really special—everything comes from the Almighty, and I truly believe that. Whether good or bad, you take it in stride. Even if things seem tough, I always believe it’s for the best,” Khawaja told SEN Cricket.

“There have been so many ups and downs in my life where I thought, ‘This is bad,’ but something amazing always came from it. Cricket doesn’t dictate my life. I have a beautiful family and a supportive wife—there’s much more to life than just cricket. But I still love playing, so I’ll always train hard and give my best. At some point, you just have to let go and trust the big man up there.”
While celebrating his own milestone, Khawaja also lauded Steve Smith, who had a landmark day in Galle. Smith first crossed 10,000 Test runs before going on to notch his 35th Test hundred, further cementing his legacy as one of the modern greats.
Having played alongside Smith for over a decade, Khawaja spoke warmly about their journey together.
“I’ve known Smudge since he was 16. We played first grade against each other, came through the New South Wales system together, and have spent years representing Australia. I’ve batted with him more than anyone in Test cricket, and we share a great camaraderie. We started as boys, and now we’re men. It was really special to be out there for his 10,000th run. I thought I’d witness it in Sydney, but I missed out, so I was glad to be there today. I’m very happy for him.”
With both centurions in fine form, Australia hold a strong position in the Galle Test. As the duo looks to extend their partnership on Day 2, Khawaja remains optimistic.
“And it’s not over yet—you’ll still see Steve and me batting tomorrow. We’re looking forward to it, and I think it’s only going to get better,” he added with a smile.