Published: Apr 24, 2019, 01:02 AM (IST)
Edited: Apr 24, 2019, 01:02 AM (IST)
In Chennai Super Kings’ 11 matches – all of which Shane Watson has played – the veteran Australian had a best score of 44, only two scores over 30 and five-single digit scores including two ducks before coming into the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Watson repaid the faith shown in him by the CSK think-tank as he smashed his way back to form with a thunderous 96 that paved the way for a thrilling six-wicket win in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2019) match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday.
The win which dethroned Delhi Capitals from the top, also virtually sealed a place in the playoffs and Watson, who clobbered nine boundaries and six huge hits over the fence in his 53-ball knock, thanked his captain MS Dhoni and head coaching Stephen Fleming for giving him the longer rope to get back into the groove. (ALSO READ: Need to be careful with my back as World Cup is approaching: Dhoni)
“I was due for runs, that’s for sure. I can’t thank Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni enough for their belief in me. Most of the teams I’ve played in, I would have been dropped by now but they showed the trust in me,” Watson, who won the Man of the Match award, said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“Of course, I was doing alright in the PSL and in the BBL too, struck the ball well. Needed some things to go my way, like it did today when Bhuvi (Bhuvnehwar Kumar) was all over me. He is an incredibly skillful bowler as he swings it both ways.”
