Shane Watson: The understated IPL stalwart
IPL 2008 was a season of many firsts. It was a brand-new experience. The 8 teams assembled almost seemed equally matched. Just one of those teams looked considerably weak on paper. That team was Rajasthan Royals. RR lacked any established Indian batsman or big overseas names apart from skipper Shane Warne. But as we all know, ironically, Rajasthan managed to emerge as champions. The most vital cog in their wheel that year, who contributed immensely with the bat and the ball, was a player who would go on to become an IPL legend. It was none other than Shane Watson.
Shane Watson was one of the most impactful limited-overs all-rounders. In 2008, he had a dream season and scored 472 runs with the bat along with picking 17 wickets. Rightfully so, he was adjudged man of the series and was one of the main reasons RR lifted the trophy that year. He played for them from 2008-2015. Watson chipped in with 250-300 runs every season, before bettering his phenomenal performance from 2008, as he scored 543 runs in 2013, along with picking 13 wickets, once again emerging as the most valuable player of the tournament.
#OnThisDay 2013
*Shane Watson (Rajasthan Royals) – 101 off 61 balls vs Chennai Super Kings:
*Watson hits his 1st 100 in IPL pic.twitter.com/hMmxffFKiM— ⌫ ĸαѕυɴ ɴιrαɴjαɴ (@niranjan_69) April 22, 2018
Watson joins hands with Virat Kohli and Co
After a long and fruitful stint with the Royals, Watson was signed by RCB for 2016. He had a disappointing season with the bat, as he managed just 179 runs. He made up with the ball as he ended as one of the league’s highest wicket-takers, with 20 wickets. However, he couldn’t replicate the same form next year, and RCB’s constant chopping and changing did him no good as well.
Yellove for Watto
CSK returned to the IPL after a 2-year ban and needed players to start afresh, yet continue their winning ways from 2015. Watson turned out to be the perfect player. The big-hitting all-rounder got to play at his favourite position, at the top of the order and he did exceedingly well. He ended up scoring 555 runs, his highest ever in the IPL, which included two 50s and two 100s. He had also saved his best for the last scoring an unbelievable 117* in the final which helped CSK complete a fairy-tale comeback.
In 2019, he was completely out of sorts in the initial games. But somehow, CSK didn’t stop backing him. Watson eventually came good as he scored a fifty in Qualifier 2, and almost took them home in the finals, battling valiantly even with a bleeding knee, scoring 80 odd. That was the perfect example of his commitment to the franchise.
Goodbye in 2020
Oh Dear Watto Man, you’ll be missed the most among all the released players, Thanks for the memories @ShaneRWatson33. Love you Watto ? .
Thank You Shane Watson ?.@ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/W6EtIPaHoI
— ηαмαη – ICT ?? (@Mr_unknown23_) January 20, 2021
2020 was a difficult year for everyone. IPL was held in September, in UAE. A lot of players found it tough to get going. So did Watson. Unfortunately, this time, his poor form corresponded with CSK ‘s losing streak. They couldn’t afford to back him after a point and had to eventually try out different options. Even in a poor season, Watson managed to score 299 runs, which speaks volumes of the kind of player he had been. But at 39, Watson wasn’t getting younger. CSK too needed to rebuild with younger players and hence at the end of the season, Watto called time on his IPL career. It is truly the end of an era. Whenever we talk of an all-time IPL XI, Shane Watson is bound to feature in it.
