IPL 2020: Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis spoil Kings XI Punjab’s party, register 181 run partnership
- Watson and Du Plessis hit 22 boundaries and four sixes between them
- Shane Watson was the adjudged player of the match
- Chennai were chasing a 179 run target set by Punjab
Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis remained unbeaten during Chennai Super Kings’ 179 run chanse against Kings XI Punjab, to complete the highest opening partnership for the team and hammer Punjab by 10 wickets.
Doubts and questions were surrounding had gotten the Chennai Super Kings by their neck, as the 2018 champions walked into their fifth game reeling at the bottom of the table with two points.
MS Dhoni’s batting position, Shane Watson’s form and frequent misfielding topped Stephen Fleming’s list of concerns.
However, after letting KL Rahul score 63 runs followed by brisk knocks by Nicolas Pooran (33) and Sarfaraz Khan (19*), the Chennai openers had a 179 steeple chase waiting for them.
Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis came out to bat, ditching the popular idea of playing Ambati Raydu at the top. However, with Dhoni mentioning the slow start problem again and again in the post match ceremonies, Watson decided to set up a flier and took a swing at Cottrell’s third delivery in the first over.
The Australian followed the boundary with one more over mid on. Faf du Plessis on the other end walked on the path Watson had guided them into.
Both the openers kept adding regular boundaries, not creating a tad bit chance for the Kings XI Punjab bowlers. By the end of the 10th over, Chennai had crossed the 100 run mark, with both the batsmen approaching their half centuries.
Harpreet Brar, playing his second IPL game today went for 41 runs. Chris Jordan was given a harsh birthday treatment by getting hit for 42 in three overs. Watson kept pulling and Du Plessis placed every ball just in the right place.
Like KL Rahul said,“If we don’t get wickets of the class of Watson and du Plessis, we are in trouble.”
The 159 run opening stand between Murali Vijay and Mike Hussey had been sitting as the best by any CSK opener for nine years, as Watson-du Plessis just levelled up and amassed 181 runs amongst themselves.
This partnership is the second highest opening stand in a 10 wicket win, the first being Gautam Gambhir and Chris Lynn’s showdown in Rajkot, 2017.
The Kolkata Knight Riders openers chased down Gujarat Lions’ 183-run total in 14.5 overs.
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