In comparison to Perth and Adelaide, Australia has accelerated their performance in the ongoing third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match at the Gabba in Brisbane. By the conclusion of Day 2, the hosts had amassed a score of 405/7 in 101 overs, with Alex Carey (45*) and Mitchell Starc (7*) remaining at the crease. On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah delivered a commendable performance for the visitors, claiming five wickets.

Although Australia finds itself in a favourable position, the management must address the concerns surrounding opener Usman Khawaja's form. In his last 18 Test innings, the left-handed batsman has managed only one half-century, with his most recent score being 21 on Sunday.

During the fourth over on Saturday, Khawaja made an unnecessary dive to cover ground on a quick single, displaying signs of nervousness as he adjusted his pads between deliveries and frequently fiddled with his helmet.

Throughout this series, he has struggled to cope with Bumrah's initial spells. On Saturday, he capitalized on Bumrah's wayward deliveries to score some boundaries, despite the rain-affected conditions. However, on the final ball of Bumrah's opening spell, he edged a wide delivery that eluded wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.

On Sunday, Bumrah regained his rhythm, consistently beating Khawaja's outside edge on three successive deliveries, before Khawaja edged a length ball to Pant. He departed for 21, having averaged just 5.67 against Bumrah in this series.

Allan Border communicates with Usman Khawaja.

Allan Border, speaking to Fox Cricket, highlighted that Usman Khawaja's performance may be affected by his advancing age, as he is currently 37 years old. 

"Naturally, your body begins to slow down," he remarked.

"During my late thirties, I would often think, 'I would typically play that shot,' but I found myself letting it go."

"Scoring runs took significantly longer than it did at 28, primarily due to changes in foot movement and reaction time, which impacted my ability to read the ball and execute the appropriate shot."

"As I aged, I noticed I was often a step behind. Even cover drives would yield a single instead of a boundary."

"It all comes down to those reaction times."

Border cautioned Khawaja that if he wishes to prolong his career, he must intensify his training efforts. "He must truly commit to those rigorous practices," he stated.

"If his motivation wanes, it is almost certain that his performance will decline."

"While he is inherently a talented player and has invested considerable effort, it is essential for him to sustain that level of commitment, and even exceed it."

"With a young family to care for, other priorities may begin to overshadow his dedication to the sport. This could lead to shortcuts in training, which is when performance may start to falter. People might then speculate, 'At 38, perhaps it’s time to step back.'"

"It ultimately hinges on his priorities and whether he retains that drive. As one age, there is no room for complacency," he concluded.

On Day 3, India will aim to secure early wickets to swiftly conclude the Australian first innings. Should Carey and Starc establish a partnership, it could present significant challenges for the Indian team.

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