Matthew Hayden's big advice to Indian Cricket Team after multiple failures in big ICC events

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden felt that IPL will prove an advantage for India before WTC final.

There's a big void in the Indian Cricket Team’s trophy cabinet after the 2013 Champions Trophy win in England. In 10 years, India have come closer to placing its hands on the big ICC trophy but somehow they managed to lose in crunch situations. Starting from the T20 World Cup in 2014 to the T20 World Cup last year, they failed to pull up their game in crunch moments. India have lost a Champions Trophy, World Test Championship, and a T20 World Cup Final, Two World Cups, and a T20 World Cup Semi Finals in the last 10 years. Now they are up for another challenge in WTC final against Australia at The Oval. Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has advised the Indian team to overcome failures in big games.

Hayden suggests Indian team to forget about the outcome

Part of the WTC final commentary panel, Matthew Hayden has felt that India’s failure in big ICC events are linked with their ‘mindset’. He has advised Team India to forget about the outcome and enter The Oval with no baggage. Hayden while talking to PTI said, “It’s certainly not a question of just the skills. It has to be a question of just the opportunity and the mindset going in”. He also believes that Cricket’s popularity is another thing that impacts player’s mindsets while going in. He added, “I mean, Cricket is life here, it is the DNA of sports and has no other competitors… I could walk down and go unrecognised in Australia…  it also has great competitive sports besides cricket”. Cricket’s popularity is immense in India with lots of business also involved in the game. 

'Buy into the process'

While advising the Indian cricket team he also talked about this same problem persisting in sub-continent countries like Pakistan. Pakistan also enjoys the similar popularity of Cricket just like India. Former Pakistan batting consultant Hyden said, “It’s the same with Pakistan as well. There is one sport and it is cricket so it’s a mindset thing… Being cautious about looking for the scorecard and looking for the titles and just playing and being part of the process, is something when you look at franchise cricket, Gujarat Titans have done well this year, CSK have done well and Mumbai Indians as well believe in the certain process… so my advice will be to forget about the outcome but buy into process”. 

Talking about which team has the advantage in the big final game, Hayden looked cautious and said it’s 50/50 with both sides. He said, “Australia would have had a huge advantage if it was Lord’s but at The Oval, it will be 50/50”. This is India’s second consecutive WTC final, while Australia will be playing their first. Most of the Indian squad members were part of the Indian Premier League and according to Matthew Hayden players who have played in the Indian Premier League will be at an advantage. He felt that IPL will prove to be a great source of preparation for the all-rounders like Cameron Green. Green had a wonderful first IPL season with Mumbai Indians. Hayden also felt that Rishabh Pant’s absence will impact India’s chances.