EXCLUSIVE: Usman Khawaja's unfazed response to Justin Langer question, hint at Ashes desire

Usman Khawaja says he doesn't feel desperate to remain in the Australian men's Test side for as long as possible despite his past as an often-overlooked batsman, particularly in Justin Langer's years as head coach.

But the classy opener, who will turn 38 on the fifth day of the third Test against India, says he wants to still be around for next summer's Ashes series on Australian soil.

Khawaja spent more than two years out of the Test side during Langer's reign as coach, which spanned May 2018 to February 2022, and prior to then was sometimes picked but sometimes snubbed.

READ MORE: 'No limit': Cummins coy on star's role against India

READ MORE: Foxx's return headlines 10 must-watch NRL games for 2025

READ MORE: Winners and losers: Draw a gift for 'one clear standout'

It's widely believed a major reason why he played little Test cricket during the Langer years was because he stood up to the volatile coach.

"Um, I think the boys are intimidated by you, Alf," Khawaja said in one compelling scene of The Test documentary series. "I think there's a bit of the walking on eggshells sort of thing. I feel like I think the boys are afraid to say it."

Khawaja returned to the Test side when Langer was still in charge, although his selection for the Sydney Test of 2022 appeared to be more due to a result of his sparkling form in the Sheffield Shield and Travis Head's unavailability because of COVID-19 than a softening of Langer's ego.

Batting at No.4 in his comeback Test, he struck twin centuries at the SCG against England, and since returning to the side has piled up 2564 runs at 53.41, including seven centuries.

He has become an indispensable selection at the top of the Australian batting order.

"It's actually the opposite; I try to stop myself doing that [clinging to his place in the side] as much as possible," Khawaja told Wide World of Sports.

"I think everything's got an end, there's an expiry date on everything, and when you hold on too tight you stop focusing on the things that matter. I'm still out there, I'm trying to score as many runs as I can, trying to put my team in the best positions to win games, and I don't want to be thinking, 'I want to play for Australia for this many games, that many games'.

"I'm still enjoying it. I've said all along, if I stop enjoying it, my body gives up or something happens, I'll be sure to pull the pin.

"But I don't really think about that and I don't know when it's going to be. It could be in one game's time, it could be in three years' time."

Khawaja will play his 73rd Test as Australia squares off with India at Perth's Optus Stadium from Friday.

The Australians are aiming to get their hands on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 2017, when India regained the prized possession on home soil, and key to the hosts' fortunes will be the job Khawaja does against the new ball and the number of runs he scores.

"I don't want to look too far ahead but I'd like to play another Ashes," Khawaja said.

"I don't think I'm expiring.

"We have these five games coming up [against India], we have Sri Lanka, potentially a World Test Championship [final], then we have a series in the West Indies, then after all of that we have the series against England, the Ashes. So it's so far away.

"... I love playing cricket, I'm still enjoying it, I'd love to play another Ashes and that's certainly on the cards, but also, just let me play one game at a time."

Khawaja says he doesn't feel any different to how he did five years ago, which is in part because of his use of Samsung Health and Galaxy AI, for whom he is an ambassador.

He uses the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold6, keeping close tabs on his sleep, calory intake, heart rate and workout zones.

"I was joking around with one of my teammates the other day — [Queensland batsman] Angus Lovell," Khawaja said.

"It's quite funny. I asked him how old I was. He goes, '33', and I was quite happy with that."