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On April 20, 2018, Shane Watson scored 106* off 56 balls for CSK against RR in the IPL. His knock helped CSK post 204, leading to a 64-run win. Watson also took a wicket and was named player of the match.
Shane Watson put up a one-man show and single-handedly took CSK across the 200-run mark. (Image: ICC/X, formerly Twitter)
On This Day In 2018: Shane Watson is one of the best opening batters to have ever played in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Australian legend won the franchise competition in its inaugural edition as part of the Shane Warne-led Rajasthan Royals. He lifted the coveted trophy for the second time with Chennai Super Kings in 2018.
It was a memorable campaign for Watson, who scored 555 runs in 15 matches, including two centuries and as many fifties. One of those hundred came against his former team, Rajasthan.
Watson smashed an unbeaten 106 off just 56 balls in the league match, which was played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune seven years back on this day (April 20). His blistering knock featuring nine boundaries and six maximums powered CSK to a mammoth 204. In response, Rajasthan managed only 140 runs, losing all wickets in 18.3 overs.
Rajasthan Royals captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and asked his opponents to bat first. CSK made a slight modification to the top order, with Suresh Raina replacing Murali Vijay at No. 3. Watson opened the innings along with Ambati Rayudu, but their partnership didn’t last long.
After Rayudu was dismissed for 12 runs, Watson hit four consecutive sixes in an over off Ben Stokes as CSK reached 69 in the powerplay. The Aussie star stitched an 81-run stand with Raina, who missed his fifty by just four runs.
After Raina returned to the pavilion in the 12th over, no batter was able to support Watson. The Aussie all-rounder put up a one-man show and single-handedly took CSK across the 200-run mark. Rajasthan had an opportunity to get rid of him in the first over, but Rahul Tripathi dropped an easy catch at the slips.
Watson excelled with the ball as well. He bowled three overs and conceded only 13 runs while taking the important wicket of Krishnappa Gowtham. Deepak Chahar and Shardul dominated with the new ball and scalped two wickets each.
Dwayne Bravo and Karn Sharma also impressed with their bowling, ripping through the opposition’s middle order. Ben Stokes top-scored for Rajasthan with 45 while none of his teammates were able to breach the 30-run mark. Watson was named the player of the match for his all-round show.
