Aakash Chopra, the former Indian opener, has revealed a lighthearted incident involving Australian cricket great Matthew Hayden. Chopra recounted how Hayden attempted to sledge him during the 2004 Test series between India and Australia. The twist? Chopra wasn’t even playing in the match.
Chopra, speaking on ‘The Cheaky Singles,’ detailed how Hayden initiated the sledging despite Chopra being a non-playing member. When Chopra questioned Hayden’s actions, Hayden asked if the pitch was assisting spin bowling. Chopra responded, suggesting Hayden, as the batsman, should have better knowledge of the pitch while he, Chopra, was just visiting the field. Hayden’s reaction indicated his displeasure.
Matthew Hayden, a prominent figure in Australian cricket since his 1993 debut, showcased his batting prowess. In 2004, he recorded 380 runs against Zimbabwe, a Test record at that time. Brian Lara later surpassed this feat with an unbeaten 400 runs. Hayden retired in 2008, with a Test career spanning 103 matches and 8625 runs, including 30 centuries. He also contributed significantly in white-ball cricket, with 6133 runs in 161 ODIs and 308 runs in 8 T20 matches.
Grace Hayden, Matthew Hayden’s daughter, is an anchor for the Delhi Premier League 2025. She has also worked with Star Sports during the Indian Premier League. Grace is also a friend of Sachin Tendulkar’s daughter. When asked about her favorite Indian cricketer, Grace Hayden chose Virat Kohli.
Both Hayden and Chopra have successfully transitioned to commentary after retirement, maintaining a large fan base. Chopra also runs a YouTube channel where he analyzes player performances. Aakash Chopra’s international career included 10 Tests, where he scored 437 runs with an average of 23, including two half-centuries.