IPL 2020: Shane Watson announces retirement from ‘all forms of the game’

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson chose Chennai Super Kings’ last outing of this IPL on Sunday to announce his retirement from all forms of the game.

Dhoni’s men exited the IPL with some pride restored as they convincingly beat Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) by nine wickets. Watson did not play on Sunday as the veteran all-rounder has been struggling with his form. He last played for CSK against Kolkata Knight Riders on October 29.

Media reports suggest Shane Watson had kept his retirement a secret even from his CSK teammates. He revealed his decision after the match against KXIP ended.

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“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 The Times of India.

Shane Watson played 11 games this season and scored 299 runs with the help of two fifties. The all-rounder, who joined the franchise in 2018, managed to carve his place in CSK’s cricket history by scoring a century in the final of the 2018 IPL, helping the side win their third title and first since 2011.

Shane Watson retires from IPL as one of its most decorated all-rounders. He scored 3,874 runs at an average of 30.99 with the help of 4 centuries and 21 fifties. With the ball, he picked up 92 wickets.

Watson has been playing franchise-based cricket across the globe since his international retirement in 2016.