'It was Virat Kohli's chance to win' - Shane Watson recalls bowling disastrous final over in 2016 IPL final

Although Virat Kohli has been enduring a lean patch lately, he’ll surely go down as one of the best batters to have featured in the Indian Premier League. Over the years, Virat Kohli for Royal Challengers Bangalore has mustered a plethora of runs, taking his side to numerous memorable triumphs. Unfortunately for the 33-year-old, however, the IPL trophy is still elusive for RCB. Notably, the Bengaluru-based side has made three final appearances with the last one being in the 2016 season.

Kohli was sensational in that season as he mustered a whopping 973 runs in the tournament with the help of four centuries. Chasing 209 in the final clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, RCB came agonizingly close to crossing the line with Kohli and Chris Gayle smashing half-centuries. However, the Orange Army eventually walked away with an eight-run triumph.

The turning point of the game proved to be RCB’s last over, which was bowled by Shane Watson, where SRH gathered 24 runs. Watson, who was sensational with the ball throughout the season, had a torrid time in the final as he conceded 61 runs in his quota of four overs without taking any wicket. Recalling his performance in the summit clash, Watson admitted he was shattered.

Bowling that one over just shattered me: Shane Watson

“The 2016 final which I played with RCB was something I was just shattered about. Because I know how much it meant to RCB to win that final. It was at home at Chinnaswamy. RCB had played so well all year, at the backend of that tournament in particular,” Watson said on the Delhi Capitals podcast.

“Virat in particular was on fire. It was his chance, one of the greatest players, to win that elusive IPL title as captain. And bowling that one over just shattered me. It just got it wrong and I felt like the end of time,” added the former Australian all-rounder. Meanwhile, Watson redeemed himself a couple of years later while playing for Chennai Super Kings. He scored a match-winning century against SRH in the finals as the Yellow Army clinched their third title.