Australian opener Matthew Hayden confidently declared coach John Buchanan's leaked letter would not harm team harmony nor performance leading into the Boxing Day Test.

Hayden, the Test player with most experience of Buchanan's leadership, believed the controversial letter would not adversely affect a team needing successive Test wins in Melbourne and Sydney to score a series win over India.

The Test coach criticised his players in a letter left under their hotel doors on the fourth night of the Adelaide Test, labelling their batting performance that day "immature and soulless" in stumbling to 196.

He also wrote that off-field distractions had compromised the team's focus.

Hayden said the three-page letter had not been discussed among the team and was certain the front page was not leaked to an Adelaide newspaper by a member of the Test team.

First coached by Buchanan when he led Queensland to its inaugural Sheffield Shield in 1994-95, he denied the coach's intention to motivate the team would backfire leading into its most crucial Test since March 2001 at Eden Gardens.

"I can't really see how," he said.

"I'm exceptionally confident in the next little bit. I think this team has faced some incredible challenges and adversities and continues to face some adversities and challenges.

"The issues that are brought up around this note is always there to set challenges for us and like anything the team seems to respond well and play its best cricket."

Hayden admitted Buchanan raised some valid points but also was off the mark with some criticism.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP