[WATCH]- Matthew Hayden Confuses KL Rahul With Rahul Dravid On Live TV Before BGT 2024-25 3rd Test

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden made a notable mistake by calling KL Rahul “Rahul Dravid” during a conversation with Sunil Gavaskar after the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Adelaide. The slip-up occurred while they were discussing whether Indian captain Rohit Sharma should return to the opening spot for the third Test in Brisbane.

Rohit had batted at No. 6 in Adelaide to keep the opening partnership intact with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, following their match-winning 201-run stand in the first Test. While Gavaskar advocated for Rohit’s return to the top, Hayden argued for keeping Rahul in the opening role.

However, the former Aussie made a verbal mistake and said Rahul Dravid instead of KL Rahul.

“I’ll be slightly more stubborn. I will not be changing at this stage. I know you would like a better outcome inside the top three. But from what I saw in Perth, technically, Rahul Dravid is right there. He just needs to do it for a longer,” said Hayden.

Gavaskar responded to Hayden sarcastically, saying:

“I would love it if it was Rahul Dravid, as you said, but it is KL Rahul.”

Hayden responded by saying he was still haunted by Dravid’s heroics during the 2003-04 Australian tour.

“Sorry, KL Rahul. My apologies. I was thinking of when he dominated here in Adelaide and got us smashed in 2003/04 series. That’s a nightmare I’m stull living,” he said.

You can watch the video here: [0:34]

https://x.com/espncricinfo/status/1866475454015705227?s=46

Despite Rohit’s shift to No. 6 upon his return in the Adelaide Test, Team India struggled with the bat, posting scores of 180 and 175 in each innings. Rohit managed only 9 runs across both innings, while Rahul scored 37 and 7 as the opener. Consequently, India faced a heavy ten-wicket defeat, leveling the five-Test series at 1-1.

Why Matthew Hayden is still haunted by Rahul Dravid from the 2003-04 series.

Matthew Hayden has good reason to remember Rahul Dravid’s performances in the 2003-04 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The former Indian No. 3 took on the formidable Aussie attack like few visiting batsmen have since the start of the 21st century.

Dravid was India’s top run-scorer in the series and second overall behind Ricky Ponting, amassing 619 runs at an average of 123.80, with one century and three half-centuries.

His standout moment came in Adelaide, where he guided India to a memorable four-wicket win, scoring 233 and 72*. Dravid’s remarkable efforts helped India level the series 1-1 against Australia on their home soil.

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