IPL 2019: Shane Watson confrontation with Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma lights Kotla up

Fireworks erupted at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Tuesday in the clash between Delhi Capitals and the Chennai Super Kings with Ishant Sharma and Kagiso Rabada having a go at former Australia opener Shane Watson. Delhi Capitals were restricted to 147/6 and in response, Chennai Super Kings lost Ambati Rayudu cheaply for 5 when he top-edged the pull shot from Ishant to be caught at cover. In the same over, Watson was troubled by Ishant’s extra pace and although he managed to hit a boundary, he had to hustle to take a quick single on the third ball. On the final ball, Watson took a single and retained strike for the fourth over bowled by Rabada.

However, as soon as Watson defended a full ball from Rabada, there was a heated exchange between Watson and Ishant. The Indian fast bowler charged at Watson and was having an animated discussion with him but the batsman just brushed it off with a smile. Rabada responded with a couple of pacy short ball and yorkers but Watson blasted a four and a six to fine leg. 

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When Watson top-edged the six, Rabada was seen having a go at Watson and he got into a verbal duel with the Australian. When the action resumed in the sixth over, Rabada conceded a single and this time, the confrontation was even more intense. Watson was seen shouting at Rabada and the bowler did not back down. It required the intervention of Delhi Capitals skipper Shreyas Iyer to separate the duo. After play was interrupted for two minutes, there was a sense of tension at the Kotla. 

Watson was nearing a fifty when he pulled legspinner Amit Mishra for two sixes but he was stumped for 44 thanks to some wonderful work from Rishabh Pant. Chennai Super Kings stayed in the hunt for their second win in the IPL 2019 after winning the opening encounter against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chepauk. On the other hand, Delhi Capitals started their IPL 2019 campaign on a high by beating Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede stadium thanks to Rishabh Pant’s special knock of 78 from 27 balls. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Shane Watson fell for a duck in the first game of IPL 2019.
• Chennai Super Kings won their first game in IPL 2019.
• Delhi Capitals defeated Mumbai Indians for the third consecutive time.