Twitter Reactions: Shane Watson's ton guides CSK to 204 against the Royals

The stage was all set at the MCA Stadium, Pune, for the first show down at the venue this season. The Chennai Super Kings had their home venue shifted to Pune from Chennai. In the first ‘home’ game for CSK at Pune, the Men in Yellow were all set to host the Rajasthan Royals. The build up to the game was immense considering the fact that the two sides lined up for the game were the two returning franchises of the IPL roster.

Coming to the game, it was the Rajasthan Royals who had the first point in the game. The Royals skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to field first on a track that was largely unknown to both the camps. Also, the Royals brought in Heinrich Klaasen in the playing eleven at the expense of D Arcy Short. On the other hand, the Chennai Super Kings were bolstered by the return of Suresh Raina in the game.

In walked the CSK openers, Ambati Rayudu and Shane Watson, to start the proceedings in the game. The very first over, bowled by Stuart Binny, yielded 14 runs in the game. CSK openers, Watson in particular, looked in sublime touch. The duo added 50 runs for the first wicket in just 27 balls before Ben Laughlin dismissed Rayudu on 12. Suresh Raina walked in to bat at number three and what followed was an absolute CSK show.

Raina and Watson put on exhibition of brilliant batting on the day. While Raina oozed class, Watson showed some serious muscle. Raina perished after scoring 46 off 29 balls in the 12th over of the game. He missed his fifty by Watson managed to reach the milestone. Soon, he became the chief architect of the innings and went on to score his fourth T20 ton, and his third in the IPL.

The fans were thrilled to bits with the second ton coming in the season, after yesterday’s heroics of Chris Gayle. The Royals tried to get back in the game with two quick wickets of MS Dhoni and Sam Billings, but Watson batted on a different radar altogether. The Chennai Super Kings total sailed past the 200-mark.

Watson’s brilliant 106 off 57 deliveries was studded with 6 maximums and 9 fours. His knock, combined with an unbeaten 24 off 16 from Dwayne Bravo, helped CSK post 204/5 in their 20 overs. For the Royals, Shreyas Gopal was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/20 to his name in four overs.

Here is how the fans reacted to the Chennai Super Kings innings:

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