Matthew Hayden’s top 3 knocks in IPL

Matthew Hayden was one of the trailblazers who made the IPL what it currently is with his fearless style of play. He had a stellar stint in the first three seasons of the IPL. He is one of the main icons who carried the IPL mania to the world. The left-handed opener played 32 matches for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL scoring 1107 runs at an impressive strike rate of 137.52. Let’s take a look at the top 3 knocks from the gigantic Aussie opener. 

#1. 93 vs Delhi Daredevils, 2010

Matthew Hayden played his best IPL knock against Delhi Daredevils with his famous Mongoose bat. Delhi Daredevils skipper Dinesh Karthik won the toss and elected to bat first. Virender Sehwag absolutely blasted the CSK bowlers with a thunderous knock of 74 in just 38 balls and helped his team post a huge total of 185 in the first innings.

CSK needed someone to play with the same gusto and Hayden stepped up for his side. He started the innings with a bang. There were a few hiccups in the middle but he did not stop his onslaught. When he got out CSK was in a very comfortable position as they needed just 44 runs with around 7 overs in hand. Ultimately Suresh Raina took the team across the finishing line. 

#2. 89 vs KXIP, 2009

Another Hayden masterclass came in South Africa in the second season of the IPL. Batting first, CSK managed to put up a huge total on the board a challenging total of 185 against Kings XI Punjab courtesy of a blinder of a knock from Matthew Hayden. Captain Cool MS Dhoni helped Hayden in dismantling the opposition bowling attack. Ultimately CSK won this close encounter and this lightning display from Hayden played a huge role in that victory.

#3. 81 vs Mumbai Indians, 2008

This big knock from Hayden came in the first-ever encounter between the arch-rivals CSK and MI. The first chapter of this greatest IPL rivalry was written by Matthew Hayden with his heroics in Chennai. 

Harbhajan Singh won the toss for MI and elected to put CSK to bat. Hayden grabbed the opportunity with both hands and took on the MI bowling attack. His carnage along with Suresh Raina’s blitz helped CSK get past the 200 mark and post a humongous target of 209. Chennai ultimately managed to clinch the match narrowly in a riveting clash.