Matthew Hayden fires back at Ravi Shastri’s ‘fighting word’ for Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden has finally broken the silence on Ravi Shastri's comment in which he reminded Australia that they haven't won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 2014-15.

The battle of words have already started between the two nations before the highly anticipated Test series to be played later this year. Firstly, it was Ricky Ponting who predicted that Australia would win the series 3-1.

Ravi Shastri then gave a fitting reply to his Australian counterpart and reminded him that India have won the last two series played between these two teams in Australia. Now, it was Matthew Hayden's time to give his opinion on this matter.

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Matthew Hayden responds to Ravi Shastri's comment on Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2025

While speaking to the media at the CEAT Cricket Awards, Matthew Hayden felt that it is hard to tell who will win the series since both sides look equally strong. He added that runs will be important in this series and the team which will bat well is likely to win the series.

"You look at the line-ups, and it is hard to really tell who has got the edge. I sense that it is going to be runs that are going to be the point of difference. So the best need to stand up in this series; runs are going to be at a premium," Matthew Hayden said.

"And I also feel like the structure of the tournament being from the west to the east is a bit of the unique way that the Australian landscape of cricket is going to be played out. It is usually the other way around. It is going to be a great summer," he added.

The former Australia opener further spoke about Ravi Shastri's comment in which the former India allrounder said that Australia haven't won a Border-Gavaskar Trophy in almost ten years.

"Look, I was seeing a reel from Ravi Shastri today on Instagram, and he was saying the Aussies had not had the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in their hands for almost a decade. Well, that is a fighting word straight away," Matthew Hayden said.

Great opportunity for World No. 1 and No. 2 teams - Matthew Hayden

Matthew Hayden also stated that it will be a fantastic series between the top two teams in the world. He also felt that Australia would be under pressure since they have lost the last two Test series between these two teams down under.

"We have not had it in our hands for two series in Australia, which is kind of the coveted grounds, not dissimilar to the (former skipper) Steve Waugh era here in 2001, where this was the hallowed turf, this was the place where Australia really wanted to come and win, and his great era did not do it," Hayden said.

"So there is always, and this is why I think it is such a special series, there is always this fantastic opportunity for the number one and the number two side on the World Test Championship table to go head-to-head, especially abroad, in each other's camps, and see who really has those kind of final rights to claim not only the possibility of playing the Test Championship but also who is the very best of the best, which you judge on how you tour, not so much how you play at home," he concluded.

The five-match Test series will begin on November 22 in Perth. The second Test will be a day-night Test which will be played in Adelaide from December 6-10. Brisbane will host the third Test in Brisbane. The fourth and fifth Tests will be played in Melbourne and Sydney respectively.