Matthew Hayden Reveals His Favorite Opener in ICC World Cup 2023

In a quickfire interview with ESPN Cricinfo, former Australian opener Matthew Hayden was presented with the task of choosing his favourite opener whom he would like to be paired with in the ICC World Cup 2023. This lighthearted yet intriguing interview added a layer of excitement to the ongoing cricketing extravaganza as Hayden provided insights into his preferences among the available options. 

Hayden’s Initial Picks 

The rapid fire began with a choice between South African opener Quinton de Kock and English opener Jonny Bairstow. Matthew Hayden swiftly leaned towards Quinton de Kock, making him his initial choice.

In the following round, Hayden faced a choice between Quinton de Kock and his countryman, David Warner. Having already favoured De Kock in the previous round, he opted for David Warner this time.

The Unbeatable Gill

The subsequent rounds of the rapid-fire revealed Hayden’s admiration for young Indian prodigy Shubman Gill. When presented with the choice between Gill and various other openers like Dawid Malan, Devon Conway, Kusal Perera, Mitchell Marsh, Litton Das, Imam-ul-Haq, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Shubman Gill consistently won Hayden’s favor. His unwavering support for Gill showcased the promising talent and potential that the young Indian opener possesses.

The Final Choice: Rohit Sharma

In the ultimate round of the rapid fire, Matthew Hayden was presented with the crucial choice between Shubman Gill and the Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma. In a decisive moment, Hayden picked Rohit Sharma as his preferred opening partner among all available openers in the ICC World Cup 2023.

This choice underscores Rohit Sharma’s exceptional performance in the tournament. As the most successful opener in this edition of the World Cup, Rohit has amassed 311 runs in five games, boasting an impressive average of 62.20. His remarkable tally includes a century and a half-century, with 33 fours and 17 sixes, making him the batter with the most boundaries in the tournament to date. Matthew Hayden’s selection aligns with Rohit Sharma’s exceptional contributions to the World Cup campaign, highlighting his significance as an opener in the cricketing world.