Watson ton propels Royals into finals

Shane Watson’s second IPL century and a two-wicket haul pushed Rajasthan through to the playoffs at the expense of the Kolkata Knight Riders on a high-scoring night in Mumbai.

The former Rajasthan captain played with freedom and flair on his way to his unbeaten 104 and later shared six wickets with Chris Morris (4-23) to eke out a nine-run win over Kolkata at their adopted home, the Brabourne Stadium.

The match fluctuated fortunes on a placid pitch and Kolkata even looked like they were poised to win it when Yusuf Pathan and Andre Russell were involved in a manic partnership for the fourth wicket. The pair added 56 off just 5.1 overs before Morris broke their backs.

It was Morris’ third over and the 14th of the chase that turned the game back in Rajasthan’s favour. He grabbed two wickets from three balls, including that of Russell and from then on, Rajasthan squeezed the pressure and helped the Royals sneak through to the playoffs.

Since joining the IPL late this season, Watson has threatened with the bat on various occasions. On the odd occasion, he has delivered, having hit a 73 in the first game he played against Chennai and then a 45 against Kings XI Punjab.

Tonight, there wasn’t much different about his start. There was probably an extra zing in his stride, a little more aggression but what was really needed was for him – or for that matter anyone in the top three – to bat through most part of the innings if Rajasthan could get the kind of total they wanted on a road of a pitch.

It was Watson who delivered on his promise.

The way things began it looked like the old firm of Watson and Ajinkya Rahane had taken upon themselves to grind the opposition bowling to dust.

Their opening stand was worth 80, needed just seven overs and saw both batsmen matching each other shot for shot.

And then a moment of indecision between the two saw Watson retreating back to his crease even as Rahane kept coming until he had reached a point of no return to gift KKR the breakthrough.

The next best partnership in the innings was worth 40, the next highest-scorer was 16 and Rajasthan kept losing wickets regularly. At the other end though, Watson also kept going, unbothered about the loss of wickets, unfettered by any of the bowlers.

There were always those overs where the run-rate was in a danger of falling off the precipice, but Watson was there to bring it back to the required levels.

Rajasthan were in a danger of losing their way immediately after the halfway mark when Andre Russell ended Steven Smith’s scratchy effort off a full-toss, and then had Sanju Samson a top-edging a cross-batted hoick to the fielder, reducing them to 3-123 in the 14th over.

Watson took charge again, cutting Shakib Al Hasan for four and then lofting him over his head for a six in the same over.

James Faulkner, promoted up to five, lasted just six deliveries, and yet again, the run-rate fell to below 10 as newcomer Karun Nair tried to get his eye in. Watson retaliated with two fours and a six off the very next over from Azhar Mahmood.

Another six in the 19th over off Morkel measured more than 100 metres and got Watson closer to his three-figure mark, before a fierce cut shot brought up his century in the final over.

It was greeted with a loud cry of emotion from the former Royals captain, knowing well a load had been lifted.

Later, he would admit it was as good an innings as he’s played in this format.

Kolkata lost both their openers in the first three overs of their chase. Manish Pandey threatened for a while but never took off and yet, combined with Pathan’s aggression and a string of extras conceded by the Royals, Kolkata maintained their run-rate. That the Royals would go on to concede 18 wides and five no-balls and still escape with a win was surprising to say the least.

When Pandey was sent back for a run-a-ball 21 by Dhawal Kulkarni, Kolkata were 3-77 in 8.1 overs, having set an excellent platform for the hard-hitting Russell.

And the West Indian almost took them home.

The whole time Russell was at the crease, the bowlers looked like they were at his mercy. He battered most into submission, smacking two sixes and five fours in his 20-ball 37.

At 3-132 going into the 14th over, Kolkata had maintained exactly the rate that was needed and with wickets in hand and two set batsmen at the crease, the game was theirs for the taking.

Morris got the better of Russell and two balls later, had Suryakant Yadav groping at a ripper of a leg-cutter, only to be caught behind. The match had turned on its head and despite Pathan’s 45 off 34 and some late-order hitting by Umesh Yadav, who smashed Faulkner for 20 in the penultimate over, the Knight Riders were always behind the eight-ball.

Morris added another wicket in the final over after Watson had sent back Pathan and Piyush Chawla as Kolkata ended at 9-190.

Rajasthan join Chennai as the second team this season to make it to the playoffs while this defeat has all but pushed Kolkata out of the reckoning.

Even if Bangalore lose their final game, they should be through while the winner of the last league game between Hyderabad and Mumbai will be the fourth team in the finals.