Ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season, the Gujarat Titans have appointed former Australian opener Matthew Hayden as their batting coach, the franchise confirmed on Tuesday.
Hayden, a two-time ICC Cricket World Cup winner, is regarded as one of the most formidable openers of his generation. He brings vast international experience and a deep understanding of modern T20 batting to the Titans’ coaching setup, joining the team’s support staff as the 2022 champions prepare for the upcoming season.
Director of Cricket Vikram Solanki said Hayden’s appointment comes at a crucial stage for the franchise.
“Matthew’s appointment comes at a pivotal phase in our journey. As a franchise committed to excellence and long-term success, we are constantly focused on strengthening our cricketing ecosystem. His experience at the highest level, coupled with his ability to mentor emerging talent, will be instrumental in shaping our batting identity for the seasons ahead,” Solanki said.
Hayden, meanwhile, expressed his excitement about joining the Titans and outlined the standard he hopes to instil within the side’s batting unit.
“Good batting applies pressure. Great batting owns the game. That’s the standard we want to set at Gujarat Titans,” the Aussie great said.
During his illustrious international career with Australia, Hayden played 273 matches across formats and scored over 15,000 runs. Renowned for his aggressive yet technically sound approach, he was instrumental in shaping the powerplay dominance that defines modern white-ball cricket.
Hayden also made a significant impact in the IPL during his stint with Chennai Super Kings from 2008 to 2010. In 32 appearances, he scored 1,107 runs at an average of 36.90 and a strike rate of 137.52.
His standout season came in 2009, when he claimed the Orange Cap after amassing 572 runs. Known for his imposing presence at the crease, Hayden famously wielded the distinctive “Mongoose” bat in 2010, including a blistering 93 off 43 deliveries against Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals).
He capped his IPL journey by helping Chennai Super Kings secure their maiden league title in 2010, leaving a lasting legacy through both his performances and his fearless approach to T20 batting.