Health · Medical Research · 1 hr ago
Usman Khawaja reveals he hid rheumatoid arthritis throughout his cricket career
Former Australia batter Usman Khawaja says he hid rheumatoid arthritis throughout his career before revealing it after retiring from international cricket in January 2026.
He was diagnosed at 22, when severe pain in his left knee left him unable to walk 10 metres to the bathroom.
At first, he feared the illness might end his cricket dream and says he thought he was going to die.
He kept the diagnosis from teammates because he did not want special treatment or for the illness to be used against him.
Regular injections helped him return to cricket about six months after his diagnosis, and he continued playing 88 Tests for Australia.
Khawaja finished with 6,229 Test runs and 16 centuries, despite repeated setbacks including being dropped from the team eight times.
His autobiography, *Sabr*, is due out on 10 November, and he says he hopes sharing his experience will encourage people with autoimmune diseases.
Usman Khawaja has revealed that he played much of his international cricket career with rheumatoid arthritis, a condition diagnosed when he was 22.
He kept the diagnosis secret from teammates because he feared it could be used against him or lead to special treatment.
Regular injections helped him manage the illness and continue playing, including 88 Tests for Australia.
Khawaja retired from international cricket in January 2026 and is sharing his experience in his forthcoming autobiography, Sabr.
He said he hopes his story will encourage people living with autoimmune diseases.
- Who
- Usman Khawaja, former Australia batter.
- What
- He revealed that he played with rheumatoid arthritis, which he had kept secret during his international career.
- When
- He was diagnosed at 22, during the 2009 off-season, and disclosed the illness after retiring in January 2026.
- Where
- He played for Australia; the sources do not specify where he made the disclosure.
- Why
- He feared the illness could be used against him and did not want special treatment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Khawaja was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis while playing for New South Wales.
Regular injections helped Khawaja return to playing cricket.
Khawaja made his Test debut for Australia against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Khawaja retired from international cricket after Australia's fifth Ashes Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Khawaja publicly revealed that he had kept his diagnosis secret during his career.
- Diagnosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis at age 22
- Test career
- 88 matches for Australia
- Test runs
- 6,229, including 16 centuries
- Treatment
- Regular injections
- Autobiography
- Sabr, due for release on 10 November
4 sources
‘Even my best friend didn’t know’: Usman Khawaja reveals why he kept his rheumatoid arthritis a secret
Thought I was going to die: Usman Khawaja kept debilitating illness a secret throughout Australia career
Usman Khawaja reveals arthritis battle he hid: Thought I would die
Usman Khawaja reveals why he kept debilitating illness a secret
What people are saying
I genuinely thought I was going to die
Without that drug, I would never have played cricket ever again or even lived a normal life again.
If a person can play at the top level … as a professional cricketer with rheumatoid arthritis, then I think a lot of other people can achieve a lot, too
He's broken the mould in so many different ways. He'll leave the culture of Australian cricket in far better shape than what he found it.