This knock is special, but there is more work to do, says Usman Khawaja

Australia's opener Usman Khawaja scored his first century in the ODI format in the second ODI of the five-match series against England at Ranchi. The opener has said that this knock is special for him, but there is a lot more work that he needs to do.

"I have worked really hard over the past year to get back into the one-day side, with my fitness, day in and day out, I have put in the extra yards. It was really satisfying just coming back into the one-day side after all that hard work I had put in. It is even nicer now to get that first 100 and get that win," International Cricket Council quoted Khawaja as saying.

Since making his comeback into the ODI squad of the Aussies, Khawaja has scored 306 runs in six innings at an average of 51.

Khawaja's century enabled the team to defeat India in the third ODI by 32 runs.

"The first (century) is always the hardest - no matter what you are playing, I found the same thing in Test cricket and the same thing in one-day cricket. I got that 98 before, a few years ago. It was frustrating and disappointing. But just to be back in the side, I am really enjoying my cricket at the moment," ICC quoted Khawaja as saying.

"It is a really good bunch of blokes out there, and I am just glad we got the win and I was able to contribute. It is obviously a special one, being my first, but there are two games left and we have still got a bit of work to do," Khawaja said.

Australia would hope to win the fourth ODI to level the five-match series at 2-2.

Australia takes on India in the fourth ODI of the five-match series on Sunday, March 10 at Mohali.