Australian cricket star Usman Khawaja has been left “stranded” as his teammates flew to India without him on Wednesday.
The Pakistan-born opener was left behind as the rest of the squad departed from Sydney due to an issue with his visa.
It is believed he’s since travelled to Melbourne in a bid to collect his passport and appropriate visa documentation in the hope of flying out Thursday.
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The Aussie star took to social media to lament his ordeal at being left behind.
“Me waiting for my Indian Visa like … #stranded #dontleaveme #standard #anytimenow,” he posted.
It is understood Khawaja was the only player in the 17-man squad to be denied a visa after lodging the paperwork early last month.
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Newcorp reports Khawaja’s visa was delayed by the Indian government, but that Cricket Australia hopes to have the ordeal resolved “soon”.
Teammates including David Warner and Steve Smith have posted photos and video from their business class flight to India on Wednesday while Khawaja remains in Australia.
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The first group of Australian staff and players flew out on Tuesday after the Allan Border Medal count.
It’s not the first time Khawaja, who was awarded the Shane Warne Test player of the year at Monday night’s Australian Cricket Awards, has endured a delay for cricket-related travel.
He had his passport withheld ahead of Australia’s ODI tour of India in 2022 and endured a delay in getting his visa for the 2011 Champions Trophy while representing New South Wales.
“Indian visa department need to sort their issues out. Refusing to let me travel to India as an Australian, because I wasn’t born here. Wow,” he posted online back in 2011.
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That matter took just one day to be resolved after the Indian High Commission intervened.
Australia is due to play four Tests against India beginning in Nagpur on February 9.
