IPL 2018 | Kane Williamson describes Shane Watson’s innings as the reason of loss

IPL 2018 | Kane Williamson describes Shane Watson’s innings as the reason of loss

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Praising Shane Watson’s world-class innings in the final, Kane Williamson has termed it as the main reason why they CSK won the game against SRH yesterday. The SRH skipper also added that Rashid Khan is up there with top spinners in the world and expects him to display his quality in Tests as well.

Shane Watson single-handedly guided Chennai Super Kings to their third IPL title with his unbeaten knock of 117 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final on Sunday. Hyderabad skipper Kane Williamson was left astonished with the innings and admiringly described it as unbelievable, which took the game out of their hands.

The 36-year-old Watson smashed 11 fours and eight sixes en route to his second ton of the season as CSK chased down the target of 179 with nine balls to spare.

“Yes, I think so, that was a brilliant inning. Anyone who turns out with an innings of 100 plus in the final was obviously a significant effort, a great contribution to their side and it was very difficult to stop him,” said Williamson. “And for a large part of the game, there was a lot of good stuff. But as I mentioned Watson’s innings, it was an unbelievable effort,” observed Williamson as reported by Scroll.

Williamson insisted that his side’s score of 178/6 while batting first was a competitive total and credited CSK for sailing through the difficult phase when they were 20/1 after five overs before Watson began his onslaught.

“At the halfway stage on that surface, we thought we had a very competitive total. It wasn’t perhaps your usual surface at the Wankhede (Stadium). It held a little bit and was responsive to the slower ball. So we thought that 180-mark was a really good target and you saw that from our first few overs, and it was not very easy to get away,” noted Williamson.

“Credit to the way CSK played, they showed their experience and got through that period and took the game away from us. You have to applaud good cricket and that was CSK and their batting. They were outstanding and did not give us opportunities,” said the New Zealand captain.

Williamson also mentioned that throughout the season SRH had been able to pick up wickets in the middle overs but that did not happen in the final against CSK last night.

“After the first few overs (of CSK run chase), the run-rate was climbing, there were risks required. But from that point onwards it was that innings of Shane Watson. If we were able to pick up a couple of wickets, which we have been doing throughout the season, then all of a sudden it takes a very different shape,” he said.

“There were moments of pressure where the game can change very quickly and if you are able to pounce on those – that’s when you take your opportunity. And today you have to credit the way CSK were able to handle those moments of pressure and carry on with their batting performance."

Also, the Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper didn’t forget to credit Rashid Khan for his superhuman effort in this IPL and expect him to come good in Afghanistan’s debut Test against India, complementing the young spinner as one of the top spinners in the world. 

“He’s a world-class player. We’ve seen that in this format but it’s great that he’s going to play some Test cricket and I think is a challenge for anyone but an enjoyable challenge because he’s up there with the top spinners in the game,” Williamson said at the post-match press conference after his side lost to Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets in the final. “It’s always a pleasure to face him at the nets and against him as well in the near future. If the wicket’s responding, like any spinner that offers him a bit more. The full package (of) Rashid is great to have on the side,” he concluded. 

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