IPL 2020: CSK’s Shane Watson played match against DC despite his grandmother’s death

IPL 2020: CSK’s Shane Watson played match against DC despite his grandmother’s death

Shane Watson CSK IPL 2019 Chennai Super Kings 1

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Shane Watson

Shane Watson might be feeling the heat of his poor form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 but few of us know that the Australian all-rounder is also battling personal tragedy.

Watson, an important cog in the CSK line-up has delivered for the team in trying circumstances and is MS Dhoni’s most trusted lieutenant in the batting department. Watson almost took CSK to the brink of a final win against Mumbai, scoring 80 off just 59 deliveries.

In the opener against defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) this year, he scored 4 runs. But in the next game, Watson came up with useful score of 33 against Rajasthan Royals (RR).

The all-rounder scored 14 against Delhi Capitals (DC). CSK lost both the games while chasing and after their defeat in the last game, Watson revealed the passing away of his grandmother before taking to the field.

He said his grandmother Ritchie passed away on Wednesday, two days before the match against DC on Friday. The 39-year-old cricketer also apologised to his family for not being with them.

“I want to send my love to my family back at home and I know how incredible mom was my grandmother to my mom. My heart goes out to my family at home. I’m sorry that I can’t be there right now. My love goes to you,” Shane Watson said on his YouTube show ‘The Debrief’.

Tribute to Dean Jones

Dean Jones

Shane Watson also paid a heartfelt tribute to Australia great Dean Jones who passed away in Mumbai after suffering cardiac arrest last week.

“I’m shattered that such a person isn’t with us anymore. In the last four years, I got to know him very well. He was also my coach at Islamabad United for two years. I got to know him very well after I stopped playing for Australia. Jones always wanted to learn more and get better.”

“He always pushed the limits to get better. Another thing for which I adored him was that he cared for other people. He wanted to give back to people who weren’t as fortunate as he was. My heart goes out to Jones’ family and Brett Lee, who did every possible thing to keep the great man alive,” said Watson.

Also read: IPL 2020: ‘Players need to step up,’ says Dhoni after CSK’s second consecutive loss