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Watson haunts former team as CSK crush Royals in Pune, redemption song for the all-rounder as Raina joins the party and Royals' bowling crumbles under pressure
On this day, April 20, 2018, the MCA Stadium in Pune witnessed a masterclass in redemption. The Chennai Super Kings, playing their "home" game away from Chennai, took on the Rajasthan Royals in a clash filled with emotions, particularly for Shane Watson. This article dives into the heart of the match, exploring Watson's dominant century, tactical battles, and the contrasting fortunes of the two teams.
For the passionate Chennai Super Kings fans who made the long journey to Pune, the night began with a stroke of luck. A regulation catch at slip by Rahul Tripathi, a local boy playing for Rajasthan, went begging. The reprieved batsman? None other than Shane Watson, the former Royals star. This missed opportunity would prove to be a turning point in the match.
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81 runs partnership between Raina and Watson
Capitalising on his second life, Watson unleashed his fury on his former team. Joined by the ever-reliable Suresh Raina, the duo stitched together a quickfire 81-run partnership off just 44 deliveries. Watson, in particular, was on fire, targeting the likes of K Gowtham and Stuart Binny, who peppered him with long-hops. This feast of boundaries sent the Chennai crowd into a frenzy.
While Watson's previous IPL seasons had been marred by inconsistency, this innings showcased a newfound maturity. He balanced his calculated aggression with the need to score quickly, ensuring he didn't throw his wicket away cheaply. This approach proved successful; he reached fifty off just 28 balls, a testament to his clean hitting.
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Watson hitting all over the park
The next 50 runs came off a mere 23 balls, propelling Watson towards his century. The crowd erupted in celebration as he reached the coveted landmark, taking CSK's total to a daunting 204 runs. His dominance continued until the penultimate ball of the innings, where he was finally dismissed for a well-made 106 off 57 balls, studded with nine fours and six sixes.
Shreyas Gopal, the Rajasthan Royals leg-spinner, emerged as a lone bright spot amidst the carnage. He maintained a tight line and length, conceding just two boundaries in his four overs and picking up crucial wickets like Raina and MS Dhoni. However, his efforts were overshadowed by the sheer brilliance of Watson's batting display.
The Royals' chase began with a flurry of wickets. Heinrich Klaasen, dropped by Watson early on (2 off 4 balls), failed to capitalize on the opportunity, edging Shardul Thakur's delivery that sent his middle-stump flying.
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Shardul sent the stumps for a walk
This was followed by the quick dismissals of Sanju Samson (2 off 5 balls) and Ajinkya Rahane (8 off 8 balls), both victims of their own shot selection as they perished while trying to play expansive shots against Deepak Chahar and Karn Sharma, respectively. These early setbacks left them reeling at 33 for 3 within the powerplay, severely denting their chase.
The match ultimately belonged to the Chennai Super Kings. Watson's magnificent century, coupled with Raina's quickfire knock and disciplined bowling, ensured a comfortable 64-run victory. For the Royals, it was a night to forget, marred by missed opportunities and an inability to contain the Watson storm. Their chase ended meekly at 140 all out in 18.3 overs, a pale shadow of the target set by CSK.
