It was India's loss that they didn't pick Ambati Rayudu for 2019 World Cup: Shane Watson

It was MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings who emerged victorious in the season-opener of IPL 2020. Against an intimidating Mumbai Indians’ side, the Yellow Army chased down the 162-run total with ease after suffering two early blows in the form of Shane Watson and Murali Vijay.

Ambati Rayudu walked in at 6/2 and stitched a 115-run partnership with Faf du Plessis to sail his side over the finishing line. The South African stayed till the end to finish with an unbeaten 58 but Rayudu was awarded Man of the Match for his match-defining 48-ball 71.

Watson, who departed cheaply in the first over itself, has opined on Rayudu exclusion from India’s 2019 World Cup squad. After witnessing Rayudu’s batting exploits against MI, the Australia stalwart feels that “it was a loss for India’s one-day team” that they didn’t choose Rayudu for the marquee event.

Ambati Rayudu got scoring options all around the ground: Shane Watson

“Rayudu batted absolutely beautifully for his 71 (in 48 balls),” Watson said in a chat during his T20 Superstars podcast. “He is an incredibly talented batsman and I think it was a loss for India’s one-day team by not picking him in the 2019 World Cup squad. To be able to take down Jasprit Bumrah like he did was incredible. He’s got scoring options all around the ground. And he’s got a fair bit of point to prove as well against his old team Mumbai,” he added.

Watson also heaped praise on CSK’s new recruits Piyush Chawla and Sam Curran. While Chawla ended with figures of 1 for 21 in four overs, Curran got 1 for 28 before smashing a vital 18 off just 6 deliveries at the death.

“Piyush Chawla bowled incredibly well, getting the crucial wicket of Rohit Sharma,” Watson said. “[His] 1 for 21 in four overs is an amazing start. Also, Sam Curran went for 28 runs in his spell and got the key wicket of Quinton de Kock. And then his cameo at the end, coming in when we needed a little bit of a burst in the run rate – 18 off six balls, what a start for him!”

Du Plessis’ hand was a crucial one, as it allowed Rayudu to play the way he wanted, with freedom. “Faf and his anchoring of our innings [was important]. 163 isn’t a massive total, but for him to anchor the innings was really crucial,” Watson said.

Continuing their IPL 2020 trail, the Super Kings will now lock horns with Rajasthan Royals in Sharjah on Tuesday. Royals’ will miss the services of Jos Buttler in their opening fixture. Moreover, there’s a bit of uncertainty over the participation of Steve Smith too.