Reports: Shane Watson retires from all forms of cricket after CSK's campaign ends in IPL 2020

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has reportedly announced his retirement from franchise cricket at the end of Chennai Super Kings’ journey in the ongoing IPL 2020 on Sunday. The three-time champions bowed out of the competition at the league stage for the first time in the history of IPL. The MS Dhoni-led CSK thrashed Kings XI Punjab in their final game to exit the competition on a winning note.

Watson was not a part of the playing eleven for the game on Sunday. His final appearance for CSK came against Kolkata Knight Riders on October 29. Overall, the former Australia international played 11 games this season and scored 299 runs with the help of two fifties. He, however, looked like a pale shadow of his usual self this year.

And soon after CSK played their last game, Watson told his mates that he would “retire from all forms of cricket.”  He had already retired from international cricket when CSK bought him in 2018 from the auctions. Watson had made a big impression for CSK in his first year, scoring a century in 2018 final that helped CSK win the title for the third time.

“Watson was very emotional when he told the CSK dressing room after the last game that he would retire. He said that it was a great privilege for him to play for the franchise,” a source was quoted as saying by TOI.

Overall, Watson played a total of 145 IPL games, of which 43 matches were for CSK. Prior to joining CSK, he had played for Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore. He finished his IPL career with 3,874 runs at an average of almost 31. The veteran also picked up 92 wickets with his medium pace.

A role in the coaching staff

While Watson has brought down curtains on his playing career, he could still remain associated with CSK in the role of a coaching staff. The report further stated that his close friendship with MS Dhoni could see him getting inducted into the support-staff of CSK as they look to rebuild from 2021 after a disappointing campaign this year.

Watson’s IPL career was revived only after he was roped in by CSK in 2018. Dhoni had shown great faith in him and the all-rounder had completely justified that with some scintillating displays with the bat. Before that, he had struggled to get going while playing for RCB.

“He has always done very well against us, and Dhoni knows how important a player he could be if he is used properly at the top of the order,” a CSK official had said. Dhoni did use Watson as an opener and the latter delivered.