Calcutta/Pune: All-rounder Shane Watson smashed his third IPL century as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) played at their new home in style, registering a comprehensive 64-run win over Rajasthan Royals, at the MCA Stadium in Pune, on Friday.
The big win helped CSK climb to the top of the table by virtue of a better net run-rate.
CSK, forced out of Chennai due to the Cauvery dispute, were shepherded by the 36-year-old Australian, who hammered 106 from 57 balls to lead his side to a huge total of 204 for five after being asked to bat.
Making full use of a dropped chance in the very first over on a flat track, Watson swung his arms when the ball was pitched outside off and positioned himself nicely against short and straight deliveries to find one boundary after another.
Watson hit nine fours and six sixes in his entertaining knock as another senior player enthralled the fans in IPL XI, after Chris Gayle and CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni showed their vintage touch in previous matches of the competition.
For Dhoni, the good start seems like an “unknown territory” in their comeback season, for CSK aren’t used to begin so well as has been in the case in previous editions. “It was a big game for us as we has lost the last one.
“It’s like an unknown territory for us, though, as CSK are used to being slightly behind before getting into the groove. But this year has been different. Everyone has contributed,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation.
He also urged his teammates to keep their fitness levels up as most of them, including himself, are over 30. “We have to keep the fitness levels up, most of us are over 30.
“It’s a long tournament, so we have to be fit. But yes, experience really counts,” Dhoni added.
Three early wickets pegged Royals back and they were all out for 140 in 18.3 overs. Royals’ chase was spoilt when they lost three key batsmen inside the Powerplay overs.
They needed Sanju Samson, captain Ajinkya Rahane (16) and debutant Heinrich Klaasen to fire at the top, but all three could not make much contribution. Ben Stokes (45) and Jos Buttler (22) added 45 runs for the fourth wicket, but the partnership broke when the latter was dismissed by Dwayne Bravo.
Left-handed Stokes, who can turn a match on its head, was also dismissed soon after and the writing was clear on the wall.
Watson earlier shared a 50-run stand with fellow opener Ambati Rayudu (12) and then raised an 81-run partnership for the second wicket with comeback-man Suresh Raina, who hit a fiery 46 off 29 balls with nine shots to the fence.
