IPL 2018: MS Dhoni handled Shane Watson with utmost care, reveals CSK CEO

Shane Watson played a huge part in Chennai Super Kings (CSK) winning the coveted Indian Premier League (IPL) title this year. He scored his second century of the season in the final and ripped apart the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bowling line-up. CSK gunned down the total of 179 in the 19th over itself as the former Australian cricketer smashed 117 runs off just 57 deliveries and remained unbeaten until the end. However, the CEO of the franchise Kashi Vishwanath has revealed that Watson was handled with the utmost care ahead of the final.

The 36-year-old repaid the faith showed in him by the franchise and was one of the most successful batsmen in the league. He amassed 555 runs in 15 matches at an average close to 40 and an amazing strike-rate of 154.60. He was the reason, the Men in Yellow were off to a flyer in almost every game where he opened. Watto also contributed with the ball at times but didn’t roll his arm over in the last few games following his hamstring injury. The veteran was also rested for the last league game and even struggled on the field in the title clash.

It’s true that he wasn’t 100 percent

MS Dhoni was well aware of Watson’s limitations and didn’t make him field in the deep. Vishwanath, while speaking to Times of India, confirmed that the Aussie all-rounder was not fully fit going into the big game and was handled with utmost care by the team. “It’s true that Watson wasn’t 100 per cent fit. He had a niggle, but the team kept him in good shape for the big final,” he said.

The move paid rich dividends in the end, as the veteran won the game single-handedly for CSK with the bat. Despite the fact that he was struggling to even run fast between the wickets. He just whacked the ball standing in his crease and went on to hit 11 fours and 8 sixes during his heroic knock.

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