As the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League approaches its kickoff on March 28, 2026, the Gujarat Titans have made a strategic addition to their coaching staff by appointing former Australian batting legend Matthew Hayden as their new batting coach. Hayden, a prolific run-scorer with over 15,000 international runs across 273 matches for Australia, now embarks on his IPL coaching debut.

Gujarat Titans Director of Cricket Vikram Solanki highlighted Hayden’s role, stating:

“The appointment of Matthew Hayden comes at a crucial juncture in our journey. As a franchise, we are constantly focused on strengthening our cricketing ecosystem. His experience at the highest level, and his ability to mentor emerging talent, will be of great help to our batsmen in the upcoming season.”

Though Hayden’s coaching experience is limited, he has previously served as batting coach and mentor for the Pakistan cricket team ahead of the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups, notably contributing to Pakistan’s win over India in the 2021 tournament. Hayden has also featured in 32 IPL matches as a player, providing him with familiarity with the league’s dynamics.

The addition of Hayden signals Gujarat Titans’ intent to bolster their batting lineup and prepare their squad for a competitive IPL 2026 campaign, leveraging his vast experience and mentorship capabilities.