Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson had played many memorable innings in his cricketing career. However, out of those so many incredible knocks, one that his fans still remember is when he displayed unbelievable courage and batted through the pain during the 2019 IPL final against Mumbai Indians (MI).
During his 59-ball 80 which almost got Chennai Super Kings (CSK) over the line in the 150-run chase against MI, Watson had injured his left knee while diving to get into the crease. He tried hard to take his side to pull off a fantastic victory, but once he was run out, Chennai ended up falling short by one run.
Now, Watson has revealed what exactly happened in the match while recalling the epic contest. The Queensland cricketer said that he had no idea about the injury until he walked off after getting out. Later, the all-rounder realised he had a bloody knee.
“I had absolutely no idea that had occurred. It wasn’t until actually when I was walking off after I had run myself out in the last over and stuffed it for CSK (laughs). The chance to win another final. So I was walking off, and I saw blood and a cut. I thought it must have happened when I had dived in to save myself from a run out in the last over,” Watson said in a video chat.
Watson disclosed that it was his wife, who noticed it first and told him that she saw blood on his pants. The Ipswich-born said that he didn’t realise while he was playing. But even if Watson had known about it, he wouldn’t have stopped.
“It wasn’t actually until the next day when my wife Lee actually mentioned that ‘there was blood on your pants’. It was in the first few overs when I had to dive to save myself. I didn’t know it was there at all but even if I did it absolutely would not have stopped me,” added the 38-year-old.
Watson stated that the love and support he got ever since he joined the ‘Yellow Team’ is just incredible.
“I have played with a lot of different things before, so a bit of blood was not going to stop me, especially at such a significant time for CSK. The love and support that I have got since joining CSK has been mind-blowing,” Watson added further.
“I have been fortunate to play for two other great franchises but CSK, the love and support that I have got since the day that I arrived… in the team, around the team but then also the supporters has just been… I’m just so fortunate. I’d give anything and would do anything to be able to help CSK,” concluded Watson.
In 134 games, Watson had accumulated 3575 runs in the lucrative league with an impressive strike-rate of 139.53. He also has four hundreds and 19 half-centuries to his name.
