Fans are recalling their favorite moments from the illustrious career of the Australian all-rounder, Shane Watson, who officially announced retirement from all forms of the game. Watson, via a video message, said he’s retiring knowing that his last game was for his ‘beloved CSK’ as he thanked the franchise for the faith they reposed in him.
On his Youtube Channel – T20 Stars, Watson was heard saying, “It all started out as a dream. As a young kid saying to my mum as I watched a Test match as a five year old, ‘I want to play cricket for Australia’. Now as I officially announce my retirement from all cricket, I feel crazily lucky to have lived out my dream and then some.”
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He further added, “It really does feel like the right time knowing I played my last game of cricket ever for my beloved CSK who have been so incredibly good to me over the last three years. To think I’m finishing up my playing days as a 39-year-old after all of my injury setbacks along the way, I feel so ridiculously fortunate.”
In the illustrious career of 145 IPL matches, Shane Watson scored 3874 runs and scalped as many as 92 wickets as well. He also scored four centuries and 21 half-centuries. He’s the only cricketer in IPL history so far to have scored more than 2000 runs and taken 50-plus wickets as well.
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Watson played his last competitive match on October 29 in the IPL 2020 when the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) locked horns with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He had a forgettable outing in the 13th edition of the tournament as he only managed to score 299 runs in 11 games at a below-par strike-rate (by his standards) of 121.05.
Tributes are pouring in from all around on Twitter.
Farewell, our beloved legend #WattoMan. Thank you for all the #yellove'ly memories. 🦁💛
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 3, 2020
Shane Watson has called time on his extraordinary career.
Congratulations & enjoy retirement, Pres 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/BR4FPPBTWY
— Australian Cricketers' Association (@ACA_Players) November 3, 2020
Shane Watson retires from all forms of Cricket.
He is the Only player to score a century and have taken four wickets in an innings.
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) November 2, 2020
The curtain closes on a remarkable @IPL career. Congratulations mate you’ve done yourself proud and made every team you’ve played in so complete. #ShaneWatson
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) November 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/DHONIism/status/1323243387223334913?s=20
5⃣9⃣ Tests
1⃣9⃣0⃣ ODIs
5⃣8⃣ T20Is
4⃣ Test hundreds
7⃣5⃣ Test wickets
9⃣ ODI hundreds
1⃣6⃣8⃣ ODI wickets
1⃣ T20I hundred
4⃣8⃣ T20I wickets2⃣ World Cup wins
2⃣ IPL titlesAfter an incredible 20-year career, Shane Watson has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. 👏
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) November 3, 2020
🧢 59 Tests, 190 ODIs, 58 T20Is
💥 10,950 international runs
🏅 Player of the Tournament at 2012 T20WC
🏆 2007 and 2015 ICC Men's CWC champion🇦🇺 Australian legend Shane Watson has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
Thanks for the memories, Shane 🙌 pic.twitter.com/9gQELTn724
— ICC (@ICC) November 3, 2020
Ohh Watto…Our Watto💛.. One Of My Favourite Cricketer….One Of The Most Humble And Down To Earth . Watching You Play In Our #Yellove Jersey Was Always A Pleasure And One Of The Grateful Moment For Us🥺U Would Always Be My Favourite Opener To Play For #CSK
.#ThankYouWatson pic.twitter.com/cAPkJXvQZ9— Junaid Ahmed (@junaid_csk_7) November 3, 2020
Thank you Watto for the memories of lifetime 💛
We at CSK will always cherish ur dedication n love you had for the game.
I hope you continue to be associated with @ChennaiIPL many be as a mentor or so.. but pls 😞💔 it sad to see you go. #ThankYouWatson pic.twitter.com/oYenYflaBg— diksha. (@ms_misfitt_) November 3, 2020
Ur always a legend….one of my favourite cricketer….love u Watson…#ThankYouWatson @ShaneRWatson33 pic.twitter.com/YWeFPbbfT9
— SAJIDH (@sajithnisfer) November 3, 2020
@ShaneRWatson33 you're one of my fav player.
We lose some, we win some but at the end of the day, how well we are committed to our craft is what matters the most.
We love 💛💛💛 u 3000 times.
Please be a mentor for @ChennaiIPL team. pic.twitter.com/lCeQay75pA— Hari Krishna (@HariNotorious1) November 3, 2020
Legends never retire ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uKlnK3ZQsw
— Asif (@DargaAsif) November 3, 2020
