Usman Khawaja denies throwing teammates under the bus over Sandpapergate

Former Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has strongly rejected accusations that he threw his colleagues under the bus after details emerged from his upcoming autobiography regarding the 2018 ball-tampering tour of South Africa. Discussions surrounding usman khawaja sandpapergate resurfaced prominently when excerpts revealed that the entire squad had been aware of the actions during the Cape Town Test.

The massive controversy, widely known as Sandpapergate, caused a severe integrity crisis for Cricket Australia. Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera with sandpaper in his pocket, leading to lengthy bans for Bancroft alongside captain Steve Smith and batsman David Warner. In an online video posted over the weekend, the recently retired athlete explained that he had desired to reveal the truth since the incident occurred seven years ago.

“I haven’t thrown anyone under the bus,” stated the 39-year-old, who concluded his international career after appearing in 88 Tests. “The guys currently in the team and the other people who were there on the South African tour, including me, we’re not the victims. These three guys took the blame for all of us, and they’re the victims.” He noted that he had communicated with Smith, Warner, and Bancroft, assuring Warner that his perspective would be shared publicly.

Defending the timing of revelations

Khawaja addressed criticism regarding the timing of his disclosures, firmly denying that waiting until now served as a promotional marketing tactic to boost book sales. He stated that he initially attempted to speak out in 2018 following the suspensions of Smith, Warner, and Bancroft. According to Khawaja, Steve Smith persuaded him to remain silent because the former captain wanted to shoulder the blame entirely.

Another opportunity arose in 2021 when several Australian bowlers publicly denied having any prior knowledge of the ball-tampering. Although Khawaja considered speaking up at that time, extensive discussions with then-coach Justin Langer ultimately led him to stay quiet. He acknowledged feeling uncomfortable addressing the matter while remaining an active member of the national squad following his return in 2022, noting that he always prioritized putting the team first.

The entire Australian Test squad knew about the 2018 ball-tampering incident, according to retired player Usman Khawaja.

Why it matters

This development brings renewed scrutiny to one of the most controversial periods in modern cricket history, potentially altering the public narrative around accountability within the national team. While three players shouldered heavy career penalties years ago, these fresh admissions from a team member highlight lingering internal tensions and reopen discussions on shared responsibility during overseas tours.