Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) met at CSK’s new adopted home of MCA stadium in Pune. The Pune ground is famous for its big scores and chasing teams winning the majority of matches.
RR started on a bad note, as Stuart Binny started off with a no-ball and then went for 11 runs. CSK started to slam every ball everywhere, reaching 50 runs in 4th over. Rayudu scored 12 before Laughlin for him caught behind. Shane Watson got two lives as a catch was dropped in slips and then Tripathi dropped him at backward point.
Suresh Raina came in after missing his first match for CSK ever and slammed 9 fours in his 29 balls 46 before Gopal had him caught by Gowtham. The Gopal- Gowtham duo also accounted for MS Dhoni, who made 5 runs. Gopal then got his 3rd wicket, as Billings hit a long hop straight to Ben Stokes. Shreyas Gopal was the most successful bowler for RR with 3/20 in 4 overs.
However, Shane Watson went on to complete his 3rd century in IPL off 51 balls. He finished on 106 off 57 balls with 9 fours and 6 sixes and a strike rate of 185.96.
CSK made 204/5 in 20 overs, as RR will find themselves lucky not to be chasing over 220.
Twitter loved the way Watson tore apart the RR bowling. They showered their love in form of tweets and we have some for you.
And all of us say T20 is a young man's game. Well, Really? 'Not at all my son' says Watson. It was Gayle the other day and @ShaneRWatson33 today. 'Watto' Player @ChennaiIPL #CSKvRR
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) April 20, 2018
So @ShaneRWatson33 scores a century against #RajasthanRoyals having scored one for them against #CSK!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 20, 2018
Fewer sixes than Gayle in his century, but also fewer balls to reach three-figure mark. This is a top class century by Shane Watson...
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 20, 2018
Age is just a number in this #VIVOIPL 38 = ????@henrygayle & 36 = ????@ShaneRWatson33 ????????????????????????????????????????
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) April 20, 2018
Kya bachhe ne kya khela hay aj ????????#CSKvsRR #watson #ucantbuyexperience
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 20, 2018
Another ????!! Played @ShaneRWatson33 ???????????? @ChennaiIPL on for a biggie #entertainer #IPL
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) April 20, 2018
????@ShaneRWatson33 @IPL
— Jason Roy (@JasonRoy20) April 20, 2018
First @henrygayle and now @ShaneRWatson33.... older players are taking the ground by storm!! Vintage wine only gets better. Special mentions @msdhoni #CSKvRR #VIVOIPL2018 ✌????
— Prragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) April 20, 2018