On the occasion of India’s 71st Independence Day, a host of cricketers including Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and former greats of the game like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag extended Independence Day greetings to the people in the country.

Soaked in patriotism, Indian marked the country’s 71st Independence Day with the tricolor fluttering high and the national anthem reverberating all across the country.

However, one wish came all the way from Australia as well, with Matthew Hayden. The monstrously gifted batsman did something that has won him millions of hearts. In a unique way, Matthew Hayden posted the English version of India’s National Anthem on Independence Day.

His gesture drew a lot of applause on social media and also received a lot of praise from Indian followers.

Here Is What Matthew Hayden Wrote:

May the ruler of the hearts of all people, 

Dispenser of India’s fortune. 

Whose name rouses the hearts of the Punjab, Sindh, 

Gujarat, and Maratha,

Of the Dravida, and Odisha and Bengal.

Whose name echoes in the Himalayas

Whose name mingles in the music of the

Yamuna and Ganga

And whose name is chanted by

the waves of the Indian sea

‘May He bless you and protect you.

May He smile on you and be gracious to you.

May he show you his favor and give you his peace.

Now and forevermore.

Amen.

Happy Independence Day India pic.twitter.com/JK2PoAHt12

— Matthew Hayden AM (@HaydosTweets) August 15, 2017

Indian fans were overwhelmed by Hayden’s message and showered love to the former Aussie great in return.

Here is how people reacted to Hayden’s tweet:

Tq mate..the way u shower love on #India is unbelievable n we Indians love u #IndependenceDayIndia

— Lokesh cherry (@SARCASTIC_soul3) August 15, 2017

Love from India

— Shivaji Bajpai (@ShivajiThinks) August 15, 2017

Thank you Legend 🙂

— Rahul Jain (@ThePhenomRises) August 15, 2017

https://twitter.com/MystiRoz/status/897336197306961920

Lots of Love from INDIA.

— Ashish Katiyar (@AshishKatiyar17) August 15, 2017

Never saw English version of National Anthem before.! Thanks champion. 😀

— Ritik (@ChaoticArray) August 15, 2017

Great lines, Thanks Haydos, much love 😍🙏🇮🇳

— #408 will live forever (@Ankieshekhawat) August 15, 2017

जय हिंद वंदे मातरम् thanks

— Sanchit Kanaujiya🔴 (@im_Skanaujiua5) August 15, 2017

https://twitter.com/DilipSanchora/status/897331757845958656

Thanks Hayden paji..

— Vijendra K.Patil (@VijendraV) August 15, 2017

Thanks .. pic.twitter.com/f1VgmNYIv2

— AMIT GUPTA (@Enchutiasticone) August 15, 2017

Great lines, Thanks Haydos, much love 😍🙏🇮🇳

— #408 will live forever (@Ankieshekhawat) August 15, 2017

Matthew Hayden has been a fierce competitor throughout his international career and Team India has been on the receiving end of his wrath many times. Who can forget those sweep shots in the 2001 Test series where he single-handedly tore apart the Indian bowling attack.

Throughout his career, Hayden also took on many Indian players including Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, and Sreesanth, which gave him a villainous status.

What do you say about Hayden’s Tweet? Share your views with us in the comments section below.