Shane Watson is an integral part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise — Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He has played several match-winning knocks and led them to victories. As the Aussie is set to play the third season for the yellow army, Watson recalls the debut match for CSK where MS Dhoni’s words impressed him quite a lot.
Shane Watson has played for Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore before shifting his base to CSK in 2018. It was the comeback season for the franchise returning after two-season ban owing to the 2013 IPL spot-fixing saga. His attacking batting in the grand finale against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2018 guided the CSK to their third IPL title triumph. The flamboyant batsman had amassed 117* runs in that marquee clash.
In the last edition as well, Shane Watson had played a blistering knock of 80 runs against Mumbai Indians in the grand finale. But unfortunately, CSK lost that match by just one run.
CSK is being run incredibly well under MS Dhoni: Shane Watson
Recalling his journey with the most popular franchise, Watson has said that he is fortunate to play for CSK. He had an incredible experience under Shane Warne led Rajasthan Royals but CSK is an amazing franchise according to him. He has heaped praise on MS Dhoni’s captaincy and head coach Stephen Fleming for incredibly leading the team.
“I’ve been very fortunate to be able to play for CSK for the last few years.I also loved my time at the Rajasthan Royals, that was an incredible experience. To play under Shane Warne and in Jaipur, it’s a beautiful cricket ground but CSK is just an amazing franchise, run by incredibly well leaders all the way down to MS Dhoni, Stephen Fleming,” Shane Watson said in a video posted by the franchise ahead of IPL 2020.
Shane Watson applauded the CSK’s team environment. Expressing how fortunate he is to play for the Chennai-based franchise, he said that the team shows trust and back their players.
“Just the way the set up the franchise is just amazing. You just come in, you’re embraced, you’re trusted, so I feel very fortunate that I’ve played for a great franchise,” Watson added.
Watson recalls his CSK debut match against Mumbai Indians:
Shane Watson played his debut match for CSK against Mumbai Indians. While chasing 166 for victory in that match at the Wankhede Stadium, the opener didn’t have an amazing start as he was out after scoring 16 runs. CSK were reduced to 84 for 6. West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo played stunning innings of 68 off just 30 balls with seven sixes to take CSK home in the last over with one wicket in hand.
“My favourite moment of CSK is actually my first that I’ve played for CSK. It was against MI (Mumbai Indians) in Mumbai, a really tight game. DJ Bravo batted like a genius, he got us out of trouble and won the game,” Watson said.
After that match, Watson had an interaction with MS Dhoni and assistant coach Mick Hussey which impressed him. Confident Dhoni had told the former Aussie cricketer that CSK is never out of the game. He then was influenced by CSK.
“I remember after that game MS Dhoni said and Hussey as well who was the assistant coach ‘you know that that’s just what we do, it’s CSK. We’re never out of the game,’” said Watson.
“CSK being out of IPL for 2 years but to comeback like that against one of best teams and to be able to win a game like that was an amazing initiation to such a great franchise,” Watson said.