Cricket superstar Usman Khawaja reveals why he’d choose his baggy green over his copy of the Quran – and why marrying a non-Muslim was the best thing he could’ve done

Australian cricket star Usman Khawaja has explained in a hilarious and revealing TV interview why he keeps his baggy green cap and leaves his copy of the Quran at home in case of emergency.

The 37-year-old batter appeared on the ABC program Shaun Micallef’s Eve of Destruction on Wednesday evening, with all guests asked to bring two of their most cherished possessions.

Khawaja chose the famous Australian cricket kit and his much-read copy of Islam’s holy book. And like all the other stars who appear on the show, he was asked which one he would leave behind if he had to escape a dangerous event.

“It’s actually very easy. I would leave the Koran and take the green bags,” he told Micallef.

The Quran has been memorized by millions of people all over the world.

“It’s one of the easiest books to read, so I’ll take the spacious green one.”

Earlier in the show, Khawaja said he makes notes in his copy of the Quran as he reads the famous text regularly. Micallef asked him if he would worry if he lost those notes.

“I’m taking new notes,” he said, as the audience laughed.

The star player from the opening bout (pictured right with teammate Mitchell Marsh) went into detail about his love for Islam’s holiest text

He also explained how his wife Rachel (pictured at their wedding) continues to give him new perspectives on Muslim life after converting to the faith.

The 73-Test veteran spoke extensively about his faith and his wife Rachel, who was not born Muslim but converted to the faith in 2017, about a year before their marriage.

“Honestly, the best thing I could have done was marry someone who wasn’t raised Muslim,” he said.

‘Rachel is a Muslim – she converted – [and] the questions she asks are great.

I did it [be Muslim] my whole life…i do certain things because that’s what i have [always] done, and she says, “But why are you doing this?” and I say, “Actually, that’s a really good question, I don’t know!”

“So she has a fresh perspective and that gives you a fresh perspective too?”, asked Micallef.

“Yes, it’s one of the greatest blessings I’ve ever had because it’s great to see it from a different perspective,” Khawaja said.

‘That makes you delve into it, understand it more and read more about it.’

Khawaja said Rachel often asks him “bloody good questions” that he doesn’t know the answers to when they talk about Islam.

The first season star also joked about the poor condition of his large green cap compared to his teammates’ caps.

“There’s probably more piss on their hats than mine,” he laughed, before quickly explaining that he meant alcohol, not urine.

“I really need to make this clear, sometimes I forget I’m on TV,” he said.

‘I don’t drink alcohol… I’ve been sprayed with it in locker rooms and stuff, but the boys [his teammates] “They probably won’t inject me as much because they know I don’t drink it.”

In 2022, Khawaja revealed that his teammates had stopped their traditional champagne-spraying celebration so he could join in after they won the Ashes series against England.

Rachel has previously spoken openly about her conversion to Islam. In 2017, she underwent a special Islamic wedding ceremony, the nikah.

We raised his family [from Sydney] “And my family came and we had an intimate ceremony with the Imam,” she explained.

Khawaja popped the question during a horse-drawn carriage ride through New York’s famous Central Park on her 21st birthday in June 2016.