'Matthew Hayden sledged me when I wasn't even part of Indian team': Australia legend was unprovoked but still let it rip
After burning up the charts with 549 runs from three Tests, Hayden entered a zone of his own. So much so that when India went to Australia for a return tour in 2003/04, Hayden was one of India's most sought-after wickets. Hayden embodied the spirit of the ruthless Australia of that era, with Aakash Chopra narrating a never-before-heard incident.
"One day, Matthew Hayden sledged me even though I wasn't part of the playing XI in that match. I asked him, 'Why are you sledging me? I've just come onto the ground to field'. He asked if the pitch was going to turn. I replied, 'You are the one batting, it's your job to assess the pitch. I'm just here to field and will head back to the dressing room once I'm done'," Chopra said on 'The Cheeky Singles' Show.
Matthew Hayden wasn't finished there
The former Indian opener revealed that he was once sledged by Hayden even though he wasn't part of the team. While Chopra did not mention the exact series or match, all signs point towards the 2004 series when Australia came to India and beat them 2-1. After scoring 0 and 5 in the series opener at Bengaluru, Chopra was dropped from the second Test in Chennai. He was back for the third match of the series in Nagpur but was axed again in Mumbai after returning scores of 9 and 1. Chopra mentioned Hayden's sledging caught him off guard because it was totally unprovoked.
"It was completely unprovoked, but that's the Australian way, it brings the best out of them. Hayden thrives on those moments on the field, and Australians set very high standards. Whatever happens on the ground stays there, and afterwards, they're happy to share a drink," he added.
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