Hayden confident of lifting IPL trophy

Chennai: Explosive opener Matthew Hayden, sounded a warning to rival IPL teams saying his side Chennai Super Kings would do everything this year to win title which has eluded them in the last two editions.

"Our prospects are very good and I am very optimistic about winning the title. In the last IPL events, we were in top four and missed the title narrowly in the first year. This year we are going to push towards the top spot," he said.

Hayden said the shortest format of the game was quite unpredictable citing the example of defending champions Deccan Chargers, who had finished last in the inaugural edition.

"The unpredictable nature of T20 cricket also puts us on the edge of the seat. But the prospects are very good. Yesterday in a practice match MS Dhoni made over 50 runs off a handful of balls. There was nice bounce from the wicket," Hayden said.

The former Australian batsman also praised Dhoni's leadership qualities, saying, "We enjoy very good team spirit built around a good and young skipper. He has achieved individually and also has got an exceptional captaincy record which is growing."

Hayden said when IPL was launched three years ago Twenty20 was seen as a danger for One-day and Test formats but for the expansion of the game, the slam-bang format of the game was a good option.

"We love the game as much as the crowds do. Globalization of this game is very important. CSK is part of my cricket now. I guarantee this IPL will be full of fun and excitement."

Hayden was also impressed with the long handled bat he launched, on Thursday, and said he would use it.

"I tried out nearly 2000 balls and about 500 balls played with this bat. I keep working on and it is especially for use in T20 and it is strategic move. I am absolutely certain that I will be using this bat," he said.

Marcus Codrington Fernandez, inventor of the Mongoose bat, said, "No Indian player has approached us. Three overseas players are going to be using this bat in the IPL-3. Apart from Hayden, Andrew Symonds and Graeme Smith have come on our board."

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