‘I could’: Cricket great Usman Khawaja gives rare hint at when he will be retiring

Cricket great Usman Khawaja has given a rare hint about his plans for retirement live on air in an interview with Susie O’Neill.

Usman Khawaja will be 39 by the time the next Ashes series wraps up in January 2026. Picture: Richard Walker

Cricket great Usman Khawaja has given a rare hint about his plans for retiring just two days after Australia’s victory in the world cup over the weekend.

During a Tuesday morning radio appearance on Brisbane Nova 106.9’s with Ash, Luttsy and Susie O’Neill, Mr Khawaja made vague references to his future prospects in the sport industry.

Susan O’Neill revealed that she had retired from her professional swimming career at 27 and used that to probe the 36-year-old cricket legend.

“You’re 36, I retired from swimming when I was 27,” she said.

She asked him if he would keep going until he was 50 and she added “once you’re retired, you’re retired”.

Mr Khawaja didn’t skip a beat. “It’s a choice at the end of the day. I could have retired five years ago, I could retire now,” he said.

Usman Khawaja celebrates after scoring a century during this year’s Sheffield Shield. Picture: Getty Images

Usman Khawaja says he won’t be retiring anytime soon. Picture: Getty Images

But the Queensland local went on to admit he did not plan on retiring any time soon.

“There are some things that are out of your control, like how the body’s going,” Mr Khawaja explained.

“It’s also how the mind is. Are you able to go to competitive training every day? The hard yards that you did 10 years ago, are you still doing that?”

Luckily, he said that his “body is feeling really good”, but added with a laugh that he was touching wood so it would remain so.

“I’m still really enjoying the games, I don’t really have a finishing line.

“It’s not about what age I’m at, it’s more about the factors, if one of them drops off, then I’ll think maybe it’s time. It just hasn’t dropped off yet.”

Nova 106.9 breakfast hosts Susie O'Neill, Ash Bradnam and David "Luttsy" Lutteral.

Mr Khawaja was speaking on the radio show in the wake of Australia taking home the trophy at the world cup after a stunning final win against India.

The Australian opener will be 39 by the time the next Ashes series wraps up in January 2026.

In August, Mr Khawaja refused to comment on whether he would be wrapping up his career.

“I like playing one series at a time and seeing how the body is going, how the mind is going and whether I’m enjoying it,” he said at the time.

“I am ticking all those boxes for myself at the moment, so I will keep playing until that happens.”