IPL 2018: Shane Watson continues to impress
At almost 37 years old, it is questionable whether this will be Shane Watson's last season in the IPL. If his performance for his new team, the Chennai Super Kings, on Saturday was an indicator then he may be back next year. Two wickets plus a handy cameo at the top of the order helped Chennai to a narrow victory. Watson looked expensive at USD 613,000 but that appears good value based on his first outing.
Against the Mumbai Indians, Watson took 2-29 from his four overs. Taking the key wickets of Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, at critical times, helped restrict Mumbai when they threatened to score heavily. The wicket of Yadav was crucial in breaking the partnership with Ishan Kishan. Worth 78 runs in less than nine overs, Yadav and Kishan were accelerating the innings. In addition, Watson's batting was tidy with 16 off 14 balls before perishing trying to push up the run rate. He scored a six and a four in his innings. The match was dominated by Dwayne Bravo's big hitting but Watson's contribution was almost as vital to the success of Chennai.
Watson is a veteran of 103 IPL matches and has played for the Rajasthan Royals (2008-15) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (2016-17) before Chennai acquired his services this year. He has only missed one IPL season and continues to perform highly in T20s. For someone who has won the Man of the Tournament in the IPL twice, it is difficult to dismiss his usefulness.
Looking at 'Watto's' bowling, his average has fluctuated from year to year. Last year was his most expensive, at 49.00, but he does pick up wickets. Overall, he has 88 IPL wickets to his name at an average of 27.95. Runs per over conceded have generally been on an upward curve over the years but still averages only 7.83 RPO over his IPL career. Watson's BBL season with the ball was poor, having taken only three wickets in seven innings bowled. In four overs against Mumbai, this number was almost matched.
Watson's batting average has deteriorated over the last two IPL seasons. In 2007, he averaged 47.20 but has only averaged 13.77 and 11.83 over the last two years. Since scoring a century in 2015, Watson has failed to score more than 36 in 23 attempts. He did average 36.77 in BBL07, with a high score of 77, so Watson still has the ability given the opportunity to score.
Motivation, fitness and a sense of competing will decide when Shane Watson finally decides to retire from cricket. Based on his performance on Saturday, retirement could be put off for a while. Contributions with bat and ball are important for both the player and the team. Chennai Super Kings next play on Wednesday, against the Kolkata Knight Riders, at home. It will be interesting to see how Watson plays and will be a barometer of the three factors for Watson's future. The body may be slowing down but Shane Watson, against Mumbai, looked just as invested in cricket as ever.