NEW DELHI: The rivalry between Zaheer Khan and Matthew Hayden was one of the most captivating battles between a fast bowler and a dominant opener during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia in 2000s.
It showcased the contrast between Zaheer’s crafty bowling skills and Hayden’s imposing batting style. Their encounters were marked by fierce competition, psychological games, and memorable performances.
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Hayden was known for his aggressive batting and often took the attack to the bowlers, including Zaheer.
During the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, it has been a tradition of sorts for legends from both India and Australia to bring the trophy to the ground before the start of the Test.
Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border, after whom the trophy is named, brought the trophy on to the field in the first Test in Perth.
Fierce rivals during their playing days Harbhajan Singh and Ricky Ponting brought the trophy on to the field in the second Test in Adelaide.
And before the third Test got underway at the Gabba, Zaheer and Hayden brought the trophy on to the field.
The official broadcaster of the series shared a clip on their official X handle where Zaheer and Harbhajan, while commentating, talk about their rivalry against Australia.
Zaheer says, “To walk with the trophy on the field and welcome both the teams is a memorable moment and I have had many fights with Hayden on the field but this moment when you are away from the game, the atmosphere of friendship, and the memories of competitions against each other, the aggression with which we have played cricket that much love can be seen here.”
Harbhajan then asks Zaheer to take the viewers through the walk in Mohali when Zaheer had played a part in Hayden’s dismissal and he sent him off till the dressing room.
Zaheer responds with a smile, “That series was like that and whenever one plays against Australia, these fierce encounters become memorable and Australia also play their cricket with the same intensity. So you can’t back down if you have to compete with Australia at that level. Harbhajan also never backed down from a fight and we used to be together in our fights against Australia.”
During the 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Hayden had a standout series, amassing 549 runs, including a career-best 203 in Chennai. Zaheer, despite his efforts, found it difficult to contain Hayden, who used his feet well against pace and spin.
In the 2003-04 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Zaheer dismissed Hayden multiple times with well-directed swing and seam bowling. Zaheer’s use of reverse swing and cutters troubled Hayden, particularly in the second innings of the Brisbane Test, where Zaheer got him out cheaply.
By 2007, Zaheer had matured into one of the best left-arm pacers in the world, and his battles with Hayden became more tactical. During the series, Zaheer mixed up his lengths and angles, often challenging Hayden’s patience. Their duel in the Bangalore Test was particularly intense, with Zaheer employing reverse swing to unsettle Hayden.
Zaheer dismissed Hayden 5 times in Test matches and their rivalry reflected the essence of high-quality cricket, where skill, strategy, and temperament played crucial roles.
Hayden often praised Zaheer for his ability to adapt and evolve as a bowler, especially after 2005, when Zaheer returned from a brief dip in form as a more lethal bowler.
Zaheer’s ability to trouble a destructive batter like Hayden remains a highlight of his illustrious career.
This rivalry encapsulates the beauty of cricket, where two world-class players pushed each other to perform at their best on the biggest stages.