Australia opener Usman Khawaja missed his double century by just five runs as skipper Pat Cummins declared the home team’s first innings on 475/4 in the ongoing third Test against South Africa.
It is pertinent to mention here that Khawaja was unbeaten on 195 for almost two days due to rain at Sydney Cricket Ground. While Day 3 of SCG Test was wiped out by rain, the hosts decided to declare the innings the moment the play resumed on Day 4 on Saturday (January 7).
With only five sessions left in the Test, a result looks like highly improbable and that’s why fans feel Khawaja should have been given an opportunity to score those five more runs to complete his maiden double ton in the longest format.
Cummins' call to declare the innings reminded the fans of former’s India captain Rahul Dravid's decision to declare the innings with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar being stranded on 194* against Pakistan in the 2004 Multan Test.
19 years ago, Tendulkar was left disappointed by Dravid’s decision. This time around, fans suggested that Khawaja has every right to be pissed off with Cummins' timing of declaration.
Here are the reactions:
