As the Gujarat Titans prepare for a crucial IPL 2026 clash against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Narendra Modi Stadium, much of the focus has shifted off the field to a key addition in their support staff. The arrival of Matthew Hayden as batting coach has already begun to influence the squad, particularly in shaping their mental approach to high-pressure T20 cricket.

One of the biggest beneficiaries of Hayden’s presence has been Glenn Phillips, who spoke candidly about the impact the Australian legend is having inside the dressing room. Rather than focusing purely on technique, Hayden has emphasised the importance of mindset and process—an approach that resonates strongly in a tournament as demanding as the IPL.

“Matthew is an incredible wealth of knowledge,” Glenn Phillips said. “He was a very process-driven player back in his heyday. For me, being able to pick his brain has been mainly around the process and mindset piece he used to go out there with.”

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Phillips highlighted that while the game has evolved, the mental challenges remain constant. According to him, Hayden has been helping players find their “process zone”—a mental state where clarity and confidence take over, allowing performances to flow naturally.

“In a tournament like the IPL, where momentum and confidence is key, trying to find a way to stay level and confident the whole way through is vital. He’s been phenomenal for that,” he added.

Despite the expectations that come with being a batting coach, Phillips was quick to clarify his own role within the Gujarat Titans setup. Often used as a finisher or a flexible middle-order option, he stressed that his contributions are measured by impact rather than big individual scores.

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“I’ve been in completely different situations… coming in with six balls to go. It’s pretty hard to score big in those environments,” he explained. For Phillips, adopting the “Hayden mindset” means prioritizing team needs over personal milestones. “If it means I need to go in with four balls to face, hopefully I can hit a boundary. If we have a tough pitch where I need to knuckle down, hopefully we can kick on,” he said.

With Gujarat Titans chasing momentum in IPL 2026, this blend of Hayden’s experience and Phillips’ adaptability could prove decisive against KKR.