Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has done an outstanding job with the ball in this edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He picked two crucial against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to help his side contain the visitors to 175 after a good opening start. In pursuit, Shane Watson brilliant knock helped them grandly seal the victory.
Bowling first, Chennai Super Kings removed in-form Jonny Bairstow in the second over of the game. Harbhajan Singh bowled a perfect off-break delivery to get the better of the English cricketer for a duck. Bairstow who had an outstanding time in the IPL finished on a bad not as he flies back to the country for his national commitments. Since then, Manish Pandey and David Warner added 115 runs to set the platform before Harbhajan dismissed Warner to help Chennai crawl back. The hosts made a stunning return to restrict them for 175 runs on a good Chepauk track.
Harbhajan Singh, who missed a few games due to his health problems seemed happy with his performance. He also added that his whole family was quick and it felt great to be back with a win.
“It’s always nice to go out there in the middle. Unfortunately I missed a few games due to sickness. My whole family was sick, in fact. Nice to be back, and really happy with the result as well,” Harbhajan said at the end of the game.
Watson’s knock reminded us of 2018 IPL final
Shane Watson, who was due for a big score in IPL 2019, finally made his presence felt with a brilliant knock of 96 runs. He missed his hundred by four runs before getting out to Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the 18th over. Watson’s knock included nine fours and six towering over-boundaries to take his side to almost over the ropes.
Harbhajan Singh admitted that Watson’s knock reminded them of the last years final against the same opposition. Watson scored a match-winning hundred to scrip a historic return for the Chennai Super Kings. The veteran off-spinner also added that they have stretched the game till the last over and is okay to do till the results are coming.
“We would have liked to finish the game in the 19th over itself, but the boys were just testing our hearts. Somehow we have the tendency to take it to the last over. As long as we’re getting the result, we’re fine.
“It’s nice to see Shane Watson getting those runs under his belt. He’s a serious player, last year he won us the final single-handedly, and this innings will boost his confidence,” he concluded.