Shane Watson was roped in by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at IPL 2016 player auction. The Aussie all-rounder turned out to be the most expensive player in this season of the IPL. And not to anyone's surprise he has been delivering promising performances for RCB both with bat and the ball in IPL 2016.
Having someone of the caliber of Watson in a side, always gives the captain an extra edge over the opponents and RCB skipper Virat Kohli is utilising this opportunity well.
"Virat is extremely open to our thoughts and opinions on certain things. He has always got some thoughts and tactically he is very good as well. So to have AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle as starting point as well, with all their experience and knowledge on the game of cricket (is helpful). Virat gets the best out of everything that we have got," Watson was quoted as saying by the official website of the IPL.
"Virat has been using me in one over spells early on in the innings and then more towards the back end depending on where it suits the team the most. I am happy to bowl anywhere Virat (needs me)."
"He instills lot of confidence in me, he lets me sort of choose the balls and allows me to set my fields accordingly as well - with his input a lot of the time as well. It's been great to work under him and he's using me very nicely. So I'm having a lot of fun doing it."
However, RCB did not get off to a good start tin IPL 2016, they are in a tricky situation currently as they will have to win four out of their remaining five matches to make it to the Playoff stages of IPL 2016. Yet they are a dangerous side and with the help of players like Watson, they actually have a chance of making it to the final four of the tournament.
Watch the highlights of KXIP vs RCB here.
Their bowlers have been taken for plenty in IPL 2016. In all the matches, RCB have conceded more than 170 runs. In spite of that, one man has stepped up with the ball. If he is unable to contribute with the bat, Watson will contribute with the ball.
The seasoned Aussie all-rounder has picked up 14 wickets in nine matches with an economy rate of 7.94. Watson has picked up a wicket every 14-15 balls in IPL 2016.
Watson was the pick of the bowlers against KXIP as well. His figures read – 4-0-22-2. He dismissed Hashim Amla during the Powerplay overs and later when the game was turning in KXIP's favour he picked up the wicket of Murali Vijay, who was taking the match away from Kohli & co.
Although, Watson has not scored much in IPL 2016, he will be looking forward to contributing with the bat as well in the upcoming games for RCB. With Watson in prime form, RCB may just make it to the IPL 2016 playoffs.
