India, June 26 -- Usman Khawaja declined an interview with Australian broadcasters SEN Radio, in a quiet but pointed protest against the station's controversial sacking of veteran cricket journalist Peter Lalor earlier this year.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Khawaja, who scored a steady 47 runs on the opening day of the first Test against the West Indies at Kensington Oval, was approached after stumps by team media manager Cole Hitchcock to record an interview with SEN commentators Adam Collins and Bharat Sundaresan. However, Khawaja respectfully declined, telling the broadcasters he would not be participating.

The situation said the decision stemmed from Khawaja's objection to Lalor's abrupt removal from SEN's cricket covera...