India calling Matthew Hayden

Matthew Hayden says he was born as a cricketer in India. In a telephonic interview with DNA, the retired Australian opener talks of his many run-ins with the Indian players and his future with Chennai Super Kings. Excerpts:

How difficult was the decision to quit?
Not difficult. I’ve tried to extract every ounce of my ability over 14 years of international career. I am very content. I’m happy that I and my family have made this decision.

You wanted to retire after the Ashes. Didn’t you?
No. As I’ve said earlier, I’m done with my international career. My focus is now on IPL and my team Chennai Super Kings. That is the cricket left in me. I’ve got great passion and drive to play for Chennai. I look forward to the IPL with great anticipation.

Was there any pressure from Cricket Australia and the selectors?
No. Nothing as such. I gave to Australian cricket as much as I could. Now I will focus on Chennai Super Kings.

How do you look back at your career?
I’m honoured to play for my country. I’m incredibly honoured of the relationships made and the people I’ve met during this unbelievable journey. Equally so with my relationships and friendships with people in India. I feel privileged to have had such a long career.

Many say that Australia won so many matches because of the starts you provided up-front…
It has been an amazing era of Australian cricket and it has been two decades of superlative athletes who have been incredibly committed to winning for Australia. It’s been great to be a small part of the culture and the success story along the way.

You are among a rare breed of openers. How did you manage to be the batsman you were?
I think I wanted to turn defence into attack. So my mindset was really to be the best attacking batsman I could be. I have always seen my role as an entertainer in the brand of Test cricket.

Ricky Ponting said that you are the best batsman, and not only in Australia. Your comments...
No, that is not my call. As I said I wanted to extract the most out of my game over 20 years of first class cricket. That is what I’m proud of. Every time I got a chance I tried to bring my game through wonderful preparation. Because I knew the sporting Gods can be cynical Gods. They can be on your side or they can be against you. I tried to have them on my side more often than not.

Any opener you think who’s as good as you?
It’s got to be Virender Sehwag. He is as good as I was.

In fact, Sehwag told us that you are the only batsman who could sledge the bowlers and fielders and still concentrate on your business. True?
I really admire Virender. He is exactly the brand of cricketer I would love to watch. I always enjoyed playing against him. Both he and I had realised the importance of being aggressive towards the bowlers. That allows our sides not only good starts but also puts the momentum back in your court, back in your favour. That’s been our strengths.

Is there a secret to be an opener like Hayden or Sehwag?
Yes. The secret is hard work and preparation and to get the fundamentals of your game absolutely spot-on before you get to the middle.

Any opener you enjoyed opening with most?
Justin Langer.

Any bowler you thought was the most difficult to face up to?
Curtly Ambrose. He was an incredible bowler to play against.

Which of your 29 centuries you rate as your best?
I think it is that 380 (against Zimbabwe). It was an innings I cherish most. It was a dominating innings. In the time I actually played, you can see how clean I could hit a cricket ball.

Three best batsmen and bowlers of your time…
Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar in no particular order. And the bowlers are Curtly Ambrose, Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.

You had many run-ins with Indian players. What sort of equation did you enjoy with them?
My relationship with not just the Indian players but India is a cherished one throughout my career. Competition is competition but as a mark of respect, players all over the world, including India, have congratulated me on my career. You get that kind of respect only when you give respect on the field.

You once termed India a third world country…
Oh! Most definitely it was blown out of proportion. I had no intention to offend or harm anyone. Even the Indians know that I had no such intention of offending them. I don’t know if there is any other tourist to India who has embraced the culture from food, religious festivals to just touring more than Matthew Hayden. I loved my experience. In fact, Matthew Hayden was created in India in 2001. I respect the country and its people.

You called Harbhajan Singh an obnoxious little weed. Was it also blown out of proportion?
Oh! Look I think Harbhajan and I share a very good relationship. It’s been a competitive one and has been built around the edge of competition. Some things happen on the ground when two great countries go head to head. But I admire and respect Harbhajan.

There is an outrage in India about the all-time ICC ratings and Sachin Tendulkar not being among the top few Sachin Tendulkar is a global icon. Like all the icons, the expectations are high from him. It was wonderful to play against him. During our last tour to India I thought Sachin’s influence on the group was immense as was his performance. He needed to get runs and he did. I think the same of Rahul Dravid as well. Rahul is one of the great icons and players of world cricket. He is one of the greatest players ever.

Coming back to IPL, the Chennai team seems to be happy that you have retired. You will now be playing for them full time…
I’m also very excited about the IPL and being a part of it. I’m looking forward to working with Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni in the upcoming tournament. I’m particularly happy with the brand of cricket the team plays. The IPL was a phenomenal experience for me.

Now that you say the IPL is your goal, are you thinking of settling down in Chennai?
Most definitely. I have great friends in Chennai and southern part of India and coincidentally, I was taken by the Chennai team. It is a wonderful experience and opportunity for me. I feel blessed.

How do you rate the Chennai team?
I think we have the strongest side in the competition and I really believe that we can win this time.