Batting first, CSK’s Shane Watson scored 106 runs off just 57 balls against his former club, his innings included 6 sixes and 9 fours.
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Earlier, Watson slammed his third IPL century as CSK posted a challenging 204 for five against Rajasthan Royals. Such are the sights that IPL provides.
Rajasthan Royals over the years have perfected the art of keeping things straight and simple, but this season their bowling is looking very listless and mediocre.
Preview: After losing their previous Indian Premier League (IPL) clash by a whisker, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will aim to start off with a win against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their new home ground – the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium on Friday.
Backing up fellow T20 veteran Chris Gayle’s whirlwind ton against Sunrisers Hyderabad last night, 36-year-old Shane Watson showed why he still has plenty to offer besides his decades of global experience after a stunning century off just 57 balls.
CSK’s two-match winning run was brought to halt by Kings XI Punjab Sunday, April 15 in Mohali. It also helped that the Royals bowlers, particularly K Gowtham and Stuart Binny, kept feeding him long-hops.
Suresh Raina (46) made his return from a calf injury and formed part of an integral 81-run partnership with Watson, before being denied a fifty when Gowtham dived underneath his mistimed shot at deep midwicket. He finished up with nine fours and cleared the fence a further six times. Batsman Sam Billings played a good inning chasing the target in a high scoring match against Kolkata Knight Riders.
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Rayudu departed during the middle of the fifth over but the score had reached 50 by then, thanks to some lusty hitting by all-rounder Shane Watson, who was in a raging mood against the team he once captained. It was Ben Stokes 45-run knock, which will be the only positive they will take for the next game. As Laughlin drew first blood for the Ajinkya Rahane’s men, spinner Shreyas Gopal then took centre-stage for the Rajasthan Royals and went on to produce his best figures. During this period, Ajinkya Rahane (16), Heinrich Klasson (7) and Sanju Samson (2) were the batsmen to be dismissed. He also picked up one wicket.
