Twitter Reactions: Shane Watson stars in CSK's comprehensive win in Pune

The Chennai Super Kings have made a very positive start to their new ‘home’ campaign in the season. The Men in Yellow had to shift out of Chennai for their remaining home fixtures of the IPL 2018. The MCA Stadium in Pune was announced as the new home turf for the team and they hosted the other returning side of the season, the Rajasthan Royals, in their first match at the venue.

The game promised to be a big one with the two sides facing off against one another after two years. In the match, the Chennai Super Kings dictated the terms big time. Riding on a marvelous ton from Shane Watson, the hosts posted a mammoth total of 204. Later, the bowlers came up with all-round show to restrict the Royals to just 140 in the run chase to cap off a very big win.

Earlier in the game, the Royals skipper Ajinkya Rahane had won the toss and opted to field first. The trick did not really work for the visiting captain as the Chennai Super Kings openers, Ambati Rayudu and Shane Watson, added 50 runs for the first wicket in just 27 deliveries. After Rayudu’s dismissal, Suresh Raina joined Watson at the crease. The two veteran campaigners played handy knocks to keep the hosts in a commanding position.

Raina fell short of a well deserved fifty and perished after scoring a 29-ball 46. Meanwhile, Watson went on to score his fourth T20 hundred, and his third in the IPL history. The former Australian cricketer eventually finished with 106 to his name in 57 deliveries with 9 fours and 6 sixes. Towards the end, Dwayne Bravo also played a handy knock of unbeaten 24 off 16 balls to help CSK post 204/5 in the stipulated 20 overs.

While the CSK batters ruled the game, one bowler from the Royals camp bowled very well. Shreyas Gopal returned with figures of 3/20 in his four overs. In the run chase, the Royals kept losing wickets at the regular intervals and had no clue against the moving ball of the CSK new ball bowlers – Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar. Ben Stokes (45) and Jos Buttler (22) tried to rebuild the innings but that did not last long enough.

The wickets kept tumbling and the Royals could never really get in to the run chase. The Super Kings tamed the visitors on the day and bundled them out for just 140 in 18.3 overs to register a comprehensive 64 run win.

Here is how the fans reacted to the match:

What a smashing innings @ShaneRWatson33! Another win for @ChennaiIPL #CSKvsRR

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 20, 2018

Enjoyed my first day of @VIVOIPL_T20 commentary in the dugout. Thank you for having me on @StarSportsIndia

— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) April 20, 2018

As a bowler myself, feels great to see bowlers win games for the team. Especially on a cracker of a wicket favouring batsmen. #CSKvRR #VIVOIPL

— Prragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) April 20, 2018

#RR completely outplayed. CSK found a new overseas hero in every win thus far…Bravo, Billings and now, Watson. On the other hand, RR’s overseas stars not shining bright enough… #CSKvRR #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 20, 2018

Feeling the might of @ChennaiIPL and @CSKFansOfficial tonight @rajasthanroyals #givejadduabowl @IPL @StarSportsIndia

— Matthew Hayden AM (@HaydosTweets) April 20, 2018

A new wind is blowing in week 2. Bat first, put up a good score and suck the life out of the run-chase…….

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 20, 2018

Shane Watson:

22/04/2013 – A century for RR while playing against CSK
20/04/2018 – A century for CSK while playing against RR#IPL2018 #CSKvRR

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) April 20, 2018

Difference between Stuart Binny's regular ball and slower ball is same as the difference between Vodafone 2G and Vodafone 4G. Nothing.#CSKvRR

— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) April 20, 2018

Papa, @henrygayle Uncle scored a Ton, can you beat that ?
Wat Son ? Oh ok, Your wish granted !!! @ShaneRWatson33 #yellove #CSKvRR @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/lhTY0d9WcR

— Whistle Podu Army – CSK Fan Club (@CSKFansOfficial) April 20, 2018

Dhoni in this IPL:

v Pace – 61 off 28, SR 217.85, dismissals 0
v Spin – 53 off 52, SR 101.92, dismissals 3#CSKvRR

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) April 20, 2018

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