During the 17th match of the 11th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals at Pune, Chennai Super Kings’ Shane Watson became the first batsmen in the IPL to score a century against one of his previous franchises.
Backbone of the Super Kings’ innings, Watson was severe on the opposition bowlers from the word go. Watching his opening partner Ambati Rayudu (12) take the walk back to the pavilion in the fourth over did not have any affect on the 36-year former Australian all-rounder.

After being dropped at first slip by Rahul Tripathi in the first over, Watson did not look back as he scored three consecutive sixes in the next two overs. At the end of the powerplay, the Super Kings had scored 69-1. Watson had contributed 38* (21) in the powerplay.
On the second ball of the ninth over, Watson hit a six over long on to reach his half-century. He followed it up with a four and a six off the next two balls. At the halfway mark, Chennai had reached 107-1, out of which Watson had scored 62* (32).

In the following over, Watson flat-batted Ben Laughlin for a six through the leg side. Stuart Binny was brought into the attack to bowl his second over, the 13th of the innings. Watson hit him for three fours in the same over to further strengthen his team’s position.
On the second ball of the 18th over, with a single off Jaydev Unadkat through the off-side, Watson completed his third IPL century, an innings which has put Chennai Super Kings in a dominating position. Watson eventually got out on the penultimate delivery of the innings, scoring 106 (57) with the help of nine fours and six sixes. This is his highest IPL score ever.
Watch how Twitter reacted on Watson’s startling innings:
#CSKvRR
Yesterday, Chris Gayle. Today, Shane Watson.
Two excellent centuries by RCB alumni.— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) April 20, 2018
Shane Watson:
22/04/2013 – A century for RR while playing against CSK
20/04/2018 – A century for CSK while playing against RR#IPL2018 #CSKvRR— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/trolls_ipl/status/987359127851581440
https://twitter.com/SamreenRazzaqui/status/987359922357760000
https://twitter.com/ViratsFangirl18/status/987362787197313025
Fewer sixes than Gayle in his century, but also fewer balls to reach three-figure mark. This is a top class century by Shane Watson…
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 20, 2018
Mike Hussey, Matthew Hayden, Shane Watson – you say old, we say Gold! 🙂 What knock, Watto! Much proud! #CSKvRR
— Aishu 🏏 (@imaishu_) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/trolls_ipl/status/987364954977091584
Chris Gayle to Shane Watson… all former RCB batsmen coming good after being shunned by the team! Is it revenge.. or perhaps they got complacent by the presence of Kohli supernova? #CSKvRR #IPL2018
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) April 20, 2018
Good 100 Shane Watson #CSKvRR IPL
— Stafanie Taylor (@stafanie07) April 20, 2018
Thanks to a Brilliant 106 (57) by #ShaneWatson , #CSK puts up a very good 204 as total.. #CSKvsRR #IPL2018 pic.twitter.com/rkOTTgibyZ
— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/Priya0234/status/987358944766124032
https://twitter.com/_marwadi/status/987360221961048070
https://twitter.com/Ahmadbilal111/status/987358690910130177
https://twitter.com/ritishsb/status/987365714779516929
Were you among those who thought @ShaneRWatson33 was past it? Well he's proving everyone wrong
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 20, 2018