Blood, sweat and tears. Shane Watson gave it all in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 final. The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder’s efforts on the field probably made every Australian wish that he played a few more years for his country.
The 37-year-old is a big game player. In 2018, he blew away one of the most potent bowling attacks of the season, Sunrisers Hyderabad with a century. In 2019, he was made to work hard for his runs by Mumbai Indians (MI) bowlers. The veteran showed an immense amount of patience playing through the knee injury.
His CSK teammate Harbhajan Singh pointed out the fact that many ignored during the game. He lauded the CSK opener for his intent and ‘don’t give up’ attitude as he batted with a bleeding knee.
According to Harbhajan, he did not call anyone from CSK dugout to attend to his knee injury and continued to bat till the end. He almost took CSK home with his 80-run knock from 59 deliveries including 8 fours and 4 sixes, three of them came in a row from Krunal Pandya’s over, 18th over of innings when the game was slipping away from CSK.
It was a run out that ended Watson’s innings as he had trouble running swiftly between the wickets because of the bleeding knee. He left the ground with CSK needing 4 runs from 2 balls.
Twitter was all praises for Watson:
Get well soon champ @ShaneRWatson33 @ChennaiIPL #CSK #ShaneWatson #Watto #Yellove pic.twitter.com/GLuHi5KpZJ
— Dinesh Kumar (@DineshRithikk) 14 May 2019
This is pure commitment and dedication for the team which you love! What an effort by Shane Watson to battle it out with injury and pain. Hats off Watto, you are a Champion!#CSK #WhistlePodu #Yellove@ShaneRWatson33 @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/5nrsouD1DU
— Rohan (@Rohan59222721) 14 May 2019
Huge respect #ShaneWatson You are a legend.#IPL2019Final pic.twitter.com/FoNnJPQoK8
— Ayuj Aryan (@AryanAyuj) 14 May 2019
Another tribute
#WattoMan Huge respect Sir #ShaneWatson #IPL2019Final Eventhough we loss the tournament… You Guys are all won Tamil hearts Love you Sir… pic.twitter.com/JHm6E9kMhV
— Manoj_The_Devil (@ManojTheDevil1) 14 May 2019
Whatto terrific commitment from Shane!!! 80 runs in the final with a bleeding knee. Hats off to Shane Watson. #Yellove #WhistlePodu https://t.co/RKbfhIxoGs
— Jawahar ஜவஹர் (@jawaharsingh) 14 May 2019
Respect for Shane Watson has gone beyond roof. His left knee seems to be badly injured with blood flowing out. He still batted and dived in the last over. Admirable from Watto to put his body on line at 38 after suffering from injuries throughout his career pic.twitter.com/4yqeGoubk4
— Shubh AggarWall (@shubh_chintak) 13 May 2019
Shane Watson. The ultimate hero. Who showed the world the color of blood can be yellow. God bless you #Watto You are a superhero. @ShaneRWatson33 Proud and honored that you are #CSK. #yellove #ChennaiSuperKings #IPL #ShaneWatson pic.twitter.com/pgpmmalKTA
— Kasturi Shankar (@KasthuriShankar) 13 May 2019
In the end, CSK lost the match by the narrowest margin problem, 1 run. But Watson won everyone’s hearts with his ‘never back down’ innings. He got six stitches in his knee after the innings. The Australian recently ended his Big Bash League (BBL) career. If he decides to end his IPL career now, he will be retiring after playing one of the best innings in IPL history.
