Shane Watson discusses international foes Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle as well as where he might bat in the stacked RCB top-order
Watson thrilled to line up with Kohli, Gayle
Former Australia allrounder Shane Watson says playing alongside Virat Kohli in the Indian Premier League will be a “huge buzz” and his feud with Chris Gayle is done and dusted.
Royal Challengers Bangalore picked up Watson for a cool AUD$1.98million in the IPL player auction and they’ll see their star recruit in action for the first time in their opening match against David Warner’s Sunrisers Hyderabad tonight (8.00pm local time).
Their top order, featuring captain Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers along with Watson, certainly isn’t short of firepower.
And despite seven editions of the tournament with former side Rajasthan Royals under his belt, Watson says it’ll still be a thrill to take to the field with the likes of Kohli and Gayle.
"It's exciting to be playing leagues like Big Bash, Pakistan Super League, the IPL,” Watson said. “I get the privilege to play with a number of players against whom I played international cricket.
"To get to know people off the field, it's a great thing. I get to meet a lot of different people (in the IPL).
"For example: I'll get to play with Virat and that's a huge buzz for me. I've had a few battles with him on the field and always had the utmost respect for him.
"Chris Gayle, we've had our run-ins. To get to know him off the field is exciting."
Indeed, Gayle and Watson have a chequered history.
In 2009 the Jamaican labelled the muscular allrounder "soft", after Watson over-enthusiastically celebrated Gayle’s wicket during a Test at the WACA, an incident that triggered a fine from the ICC.
And in January, Watson described Gayle’s behaviour in a post-innings interview during the KFC Big Bash League, for which he was fined $10,000, as not out-of-character for the West Indian and “fairly expected”.
But the following month, during the Pakistan Super League where they played for opposing teams, the pair appeared to bury the hatchet after posing for a photo that Gayle posted on his Twitter account.
Who would've thought this would happen?😏 want to punch him in the belly when taking this, but #RCB need him for #IPL pic.twitter.com/1lKFie1biW
— Chris Gayle (@henrygayle) February 9, 2016
Watson added it’s "amazing how the world works", stating at the time he was looking forward to batting with Gayle in the IPL.
Amazing how the world works!!Now teammates @RCBTweets. Should be great fun batting with the new age Master Blaster. https://t.co/oNDiN4MDaE
— Shane Watson (@ShaneRWatson33) February 9, 2016
Whether they open the batting together for Bangalore remains to be seen but Watson insisted he’s content to bat anywhere in the order for Bangalore.
Despite having a wealth of star players at their disposal in previous tournaments, Bangalore have been underachievers in the IPL and yet to claim their first title.
It’s something Watson is keen to correct.
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"It's hard to put your finger on what those missing elements have been," he said. "I'm looking to help out on and off the field.
"I want to help out on the field, which is the most important thing, and to help the franchise continue to grow.
"The quality of players that we have is pretty incredible. As an allrounder, I give the team good options. I think that was one reason I got to play for Australia at an early age.
"I've batted in all different positions. I've opened, batted at No. 3 and here I'm happy to fit in wherever is required with Chris, Virat and AB as well."