IPL 2018: MS Dhoni is Hitting the Ball Incredibly, Says MOM Shane Watson

Shane Watson had not quite managed to deliver as per his reputation in the last three games before the recently-concluded match against Delhi Daredevils in Pune.

The Australian had slammed a brilliant century against Rajasthan Royals but followed it with three single-digit scores. On Monday, he once again proved his worth in gold by playing a brilliant knock of 78 to lay the foundation for a big total.

With his opening partner Faf du Plessis not being able to get going, the 36-year old took the onus on himself to do the attacking.

In space of 14 balls between overs 4.3 and 6.4, the Super Kings hit six sixes — five of which were smashed by Watson. That period pretty much set the tone for the remainder of the innings.

Watson was particularly lethal on Liam Plunkett. He hit the England pacer for four sixes during that period. He was eventually dismissed on 78 by Amit Mishra, but by then he had already given his team a solid platform from which to build on. Super Kings went on to win the game buy 13 runs.

Watson was awarded the Man of the Match award for his knock. Speaking after the win, he expressed his delight over his innings.

“I wanted to help the team in the previous games but to be able to play this innings against DD is a good confidence builder. I was targeting the short side of the ground and wind was also blowing in that direction. It was good to get a few out of the middle,” he said at the presentation ceremony.

Super Kings posted a daunting 211 for four in the allotted 20 overs. The credit for the huge score should also be given to MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu.

The duo joined hands in the middle after Super Kings lost three quick wickets. They played their shots right from the word go, adding 79 runs to fire the team to a massive total.

Dhoni completed his fifty on the last ball of the innings, remaining unbeaten on 51 off 22 balls. His knock was studded with two fours and five sixes.

Three of those sixes came off  Trent Boult’s bowling which drew lavish praise from Watson.

“Trent Boult is a world-class bowler, and MS hit him really well. He is hitting the ball incredibly, as well as he has ever hit,” the allrounder concluded.