Usman Khawaja: Australia batsman will hope to make knock count as fight for opening slot continues

Khawaja is most likely set to open the batting alongside Shaun Marsh on Sunday.

New Delhi: In-form Usman Khawaja will look to carry his form into the national side when Australia face India in the 3rd Twenty20 game in Sydney on Sunday.

Khawaja who has been a revelation for the Aussies in the Test team, replaces an injured Aaron Finch who pulled his hamstring in the 2nd T20I at the MCG on Friday.

Khawaja's heroics saw the Sydney Thunders win the Big Bash League recently and the left-hander is enjoying some rich form in batting. The timing is perfect for Khawaja to make this outing count in Sydney as most likely he is set to open the batting alongside Shaun Marsh.

David Warner has been rested alongside Steve Smith as Australia look at options in the entire unit. Same goes for bowling too.

Australia are rich in their opening slot options with David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh and Usman Khawaja. Even Shane Watson who was seen batting in the lower middle order in the T20 series, is also an opening batsman.

With so many players in the kitty, Usman Khawaja can impress the selectors with another good outing before the Test series against New Zealand next month.

Australia travel to South Africa for a T20 series prior to the ICC T20 World Cup in March and Khawaja knows a good run can see him cement a spot in the squad for the mega event.

With Warner and Finch as the first choice options, Khawaja can be the best back-up in the starry top order.

Earlier the batsman was recalled as a cover in the recently concluded ODI series against India.

Khawaja has been a dominating force under skipper Steve Smith and has been consistent for the collective Aussie unit where everybody has chipped in to stake a vital claim for spots.

For now SCG will hope to witness a Khawaja magic on Sunday.