Matthew Hayden: An Indian Cricket Fan's Reminiscence

Matthew Hayden who retired today, Jan. 13, was never one of my favourites. Yet after seeing him belt fours and sixes, score half-centuries and converting them into massive hundreds, hammer bowlers and tear apart confidence from any opposition's heart, I developed a grudging respect for this Aussie.

As he bids adieu to all forms of the game with immediate effect, almost everyone will be glad to see him move on. Almost, because his fans and his team mates and other Aussies will miss his pinch hitting the most.

True, he had not been in the best of forms recently, which led to his dropping from the squad and subsequent retirement, but when he played, it rained shots in all parts of the ground.

Additionally, as an Indian, I have always felt that Haydos was always less kind when playing against Indians.

His power packed shots, his one handed demolition of the Indians, especially during 2003 WC final [though it was shortlived], his taunting of Harbhajan, his playing for the IPL team Chennai Super Kings; I remember so well.

I generally hate the Australian cricket team because it defeats my favourites, mostly by a huge margin, and Hayden especially was the person whom I used allot the choicest of abuses.

I remember so well when he was at his prime and used to play against India, I used to get goosebumps. Frankly speaking, almost every Australian team member used to give me nightmares those days. Gilly, Hayden, McGrath, Lee and Warne.

These people had formed the very bane of Australian dominance back in those days, and my India used to wilt before their presence almost every time.

His calling Bhajji "an obnoxious weed" turned me off against him even further; not to add his involvement in the "Maa Ki" controversy. That was time when I decided that Hayden wasn't worthy of my berations as well.

After the "Maa Ki" episode, I and everyone in my friends' circle who used to follow cricket diligently felt that it was very unsportsmanlike and lowly of the Australians and especially Hayden to do that.

Now for the turnaround. Respect and acknowledgment from my side to this man came when he opted to play in the IPL franchisee "Chennai Superkings." Mostly, it was because the Superkings were my favourite after Kolkata Knightriders and Rajasthan Royals.

At that time, I felt that it was mightily generous of Hayden to come and play here [of course, on second thought, it was money that was doing the trick], but after he expressed distaste about the Indian players, it does need to be appreciated.

So, for the past one year I have grown used to liking his game and enjoy it fully in spite of the team playing against. Now, I don't have any issues in saying that I will miss his game for I really appreciate it, although I guess it came off a bit too late.