AUS vs IND: Why Usman Khawaja wore Black Armband in Sydney Test?

The fifth and final Test match of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25) pitted hosts Australia against India. On Friday, January 3, Usman Khawaja, an experienced opener for Australia, wore a black armband during the New Year Test match against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It's important to note that Khawaja was the only player to be spotted sporting the black armband, prompting fans to wonder why.

Let us tell you, he took this action to commemorate the passing of his former colleague Ashwell Prince's wife, a South African celebrity. At forty, Melissa Prince died of cancer, leaving her husband and their three sons devastated. Notably, Usman Khawaja and Ashwell Prince bonded well during their time together as teammates in the English County Championship with Lancashire. Between 2002 and 2011, Ashwell played in 52 ODIs and 66 Test matches for South Africa.

Usman Khawaja black armband mystery revealed:

Prince paid a moving homage to his late wife on Instagram on Thursday. It was hard to watch her suffer in her last months, Prince added. They will always carry Melissa's memories close to their hearts. His Instagram post said, “It was extremely difficult to have to see you endure as much pain as you did in the last few months of your life. But we choose to remember you in the way that we knew you. A gem, one of the rare types touched people’s hearts in a special way wherever you went. We miss you mama and can hardly believe that you’re gone. But you have made an imprint in all of our hearts that can never be erased. HAPPY NEW YEAR my love. Rest in Peace up there, your boys will always love you!"

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During the fifth Test match against India, Usman Khawaja was the only Australian to don a black armband. When Khawaja disputed claims that he had denounced Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale for allegedly making a racial slur against Ashwell Prince during a game in 2014, he became embroiled in controversy.

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