Usman Khawaja told ABC that he had been hiding a debilitating diagnosis for over a decade, saying the pain in his left knee had once made walking feel like a gamble. He was only 22 when doctors first flagged the rheumatoid arthritis that would haunt him through every tour.
Khawaja finished his Test career with 6,229 runs and 16 centuries from 88 matches – a tally that includes a career‑defining double‑century haul in both innings of the 2021‑22 Ashes Sydney Test.
The 2021‑22 Ashes was the turning point. After six months of treatment, he returned to the crease and struck 139 and 116, turning a potential injury‑plagued season into a headline‑making comeback. The injections and medication were his secret weapons, letting him stay in the game.
Teammates like David Warner and Michael Hussey had no idea of Khawaja’s battle, which shows how quietly the disease can operate. Khawaja said he feared the truth could be used against him, so he kept it hidden until retirement.
Now he’s preparing to share the full story in his forthcoming autobiography, Sabr. Khawaja says his journey will help others with autoimmune diseases see that a chronic condition doesn’t mean giving up on dreams.
With the book’s release, Khawaja is set to become a leading voice on athlete health and resilience.