Matthew Hayden Praises Kohli, Smith for Trophy Series

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden believes that Virat Kohli and Steve Smith will play pivotal roles in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, marking their significance as they approach the latter stages of their careers. Both players are part of the 'fab four' and are known for their prolific scoring, with Kohli averaging 47.48 against Australia and Smith 65.87 against India. The five-Test series, starting November 22 in Perth, is anticipated to be fiercely competitive, with Hayden emphasizing that runs will be crucial for success. He noted the absence of reliable players like Cheteshwar Pujara, which places additional pressure on the top batsmen. Additionally, Hayden acknowledged the intensity of the rivalry, with Australian players eager to secure their first series win against India in nearly a decade. The series, which hasn't featured five Tests since 1991-92, promises to be historic and highly engaging.