Veteran Australian opener Usman Khawaja has voiced strong support for Nathan McSweeney, his new opening partner, encouraging the young batsman to play his own game against India, instead of imitating David Warner, a player renowned for his unique skills.

As Khawaja approaches his 38th birthday, with a career comprising 73 Tests and almost five and a half thousand runs, he dismisses the myth of needing to score runs quickly. He advises McSweeney to focus on consistency and repeat proven processes.

Speaking with news.com.au, Khawaja emphasized that the art of opening isn’t solely about fast scores but also holding ground. He remarked on Warner’s talent for scoring runs while keeping time. Confident in McSweeney’s abilities, Khawaja noted the young batter’s proficiency in both scoring and enduring at the crease, making him well-suited for Test cricket demands.

(With inputs from agencies.)