India brew a Hayden formula

Indians got into serious training mode, stretched their limbs and went into serious net session. Yuvraj had a long hard look at that man making that noise, as did Suresh Raina, Sreesanth, Robin Uthappa.

Such is the intimidating power of Matthew Hayden and his willow —- he’s walked out and scored a ton against India, hobbled out with injury, and then returned again to hit another ton. India are determined to end that sequence tomorrow.

The big burly opener missed the first meeting, but returned yesterday to make an immediate impact and is raring to go against the Indians. He also has a new pair of shoes to go with his big bat. It looks somewhat like football boots, with studs – helps him to get a better grip on this wet slippery ground. “It’s basically to get more retraction and grip on my shoes to avoid injury,” says Hayden.

Even as his teammates are in their hotel rooms, resting, Hayden is up against the bowling machine, plonking his right foot forward and driving on the rise. Dhoni and Irfan Pathan are watching him from a distance, “isko thoda kheetch ke khilana… get six on the off-side with a mid-off upar and point andar ki taraf,” advises Dhoni, as Pathan nods in agreement.

Hayden batted for over an hour in the indoor nets and hardly played and missed. The Indian team has been a good fielding outfit even in Test matches with just one missed catch, but the Australian opener has played some flawless knocks.

India have their plans intact for every Australian player, but Hayden has always hoodwinked them. They are hoping to stifle him for space and make him play a silly shot this time.