I know India loves to hate me: Matthew Hayden

Your Mongoose bat has made more news than your batting in this IPL.
There is no doubt that I want my batting to be remembered more than my bat. Every time a Twenty20 tournament was played since the World T20 in South Africa, I have emerged as the highest scorer. There are a lot of games left in this IPL to put the record straight.

Your Chennai Super Kings are not looking as formidable…
The results are not coming our way. I don’t think we are playing badly. I agree we had a bad game against Bangalore. Here in Mumbai, we played very well. It is all about taking the right opportunities with the youngsters and playing with freedom.

So you say a turnaround is possible for CSK?
It is possible. But only when you free your mind and don’t get bogged down with results. In any tournament, winning is important but the most important thing is to play with freedom. Only when you do it, you prosper.

Is that all part of Hayden-Way philosophy that you want to spread in India?
Yes. Hayden-Way is a philosophy on the way of living life and playing the game. It is about activity to create and embrace change. I strongly believe in the system of family values, bonding and inclusiveness. Sport is a beautiful thing in society. There are so many noble professions and sport is one of them. It is about failure, success and character. As a youngster I was privileged to have a strong cricketing culture.

You had once epitomised the ‘Ugly Aussies’ whose aim was to win at any cost. Now you are talking of bonding and inclusiveness. Is it possible to reach out to Indians?
It is possible through actions. In that sense, IPL is a barrier-breaker. Everyone I’m playing with now considers me as a friend and an asset to the team. I understand that India loves to hate me. I have incredible experience in this beautiful country and that has nothing to do with cricket. In cricket, I’m a warrior. That earns respect from my cricketing community but as a societal member, I think I have a responsibility to my second home.

Given the current situation between the countries and things happening in Australia, do you think it is possible for you to achieve the goal?
It is important that we take the initiative. I have always considered myself as a mentor and role model in the society. That’s the way I’m. I’m very lucky to have played for my country, to have played for Chennai Super Kings and lucky to be in a position to give something back to the society.

Do you now say that you have got the acceptance?
It is amazing to be a foreigner playing in India as part of an Indian team. I have got the acceptance. There is nothing gimmicky about my role as an ambassador for Australia and also as an ambassador for CSK. I have not changed as a cricketer. I am the same aggressive cricketer. The difference is I’m wearing yellow and not yellow and gold.

You talk about Chennai now. In the next IPL you could be playing for some other side.
That’s a possibility but I want to remain in Chennai. It is about building loyalty and ensuring that the fan base is not fragmented. I have got the acceptance in Chennai. Sachin Tendulkar playing for Chennai will make no sense. The IPL should ensure that such fragmentations don’t happen. I’m sure they are doing that.

You have played under many captains. Where do you put MS Dhoni among them?
I have played under five Australian captains — Allan Border, Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist — besides MS Dhoni. They are all similar captains, with strong personalities. MS is very consistent. He leads from the front. I don’t think there is any room in cricket for a leader to lead from the backbenches.