Matthew Hayden slams Indian selectors for ignoring star batter ahead of Australia tour

The former Australian legendary batter Matthew Hayden was in India for the CEAT Award show that took place on Wednesday. During the event, the former opening batting legend had a go at the Indian selectors. Matthew Hayden wasn’t pleased with the way Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have been ignored. 

The two batting stars haven’t played for India since June 2023 and their future seems uncertain. Cheteshwar Pujara is playing for Sussex while Rahane is also plying his trade in the English county circuit. Both Pujara and Rahane have had a fair share of success in Australia and were the pillars behind the series wins in 2018 and 2021. 

During his chat with PTI, Matthew Hayden said “You look at the lineups, and it's hard to really tell who has the edge. I sense that it's going to be runs that are going to be the point of difference. Guys that are sure bets have retired, like Cheteshwar Pujara was a sure bet in Australian conditions”

Matthew Hayden wants Australia to win Border Gavaskar Trophy

Further during his chat with PTI, Matthew Hayden said “Was he exciting? No. Was he effective? Heck, yes. When you look back over the years, guys like Raul Dravid, and VVS Laxman... they were really sure bets in our market. The best need to stand up in this series, runs are going to be at a premium," 

Cheteshwar Pujara has played 25 Test matches versus Australia and has scored 2074 runs. He has hit 5 five centuries and 11 half-centuries with a best of  204 and has an average of 49. 

Pujara in his first tour of Australia scored 201 runs during the 2014/ 15 series. This was followed by his 521 runs during the 2018/19 tour where India posted their first series win in Australia. During the 2020/21 tour, Pujara scored 271 runs with three fifties. 

Finally, Matthew Hayden has also asked Australia to end the jinx of not winning the Border-Gavaskar trophy. “We haven't had it (the trophy) in our hands for two series in Australia, which is kind of the coveted grounds. Not that's similar to the Steve Waugh era here in 2001, where this was the hallowed turf, this was a place where Australia really wanted to come and win”

The former star batter ended by saying “And his great era didn't do it. There's always this fantastic opportunity for the No. 1 (and) No. 2 sides on the World Test Championship to go head to head, especially abroad in each other's camps and see who really has those kinds of final rights... to claim not only the possibility of playing the (World) Test Championship (final) but also who's the very best of the best, which you judge on how you tour, not so much how you play at home,"