Shane Watson

In the history of the T20 World Cup, only Virat Kohli has… | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago04 mins

NEW DELHI: When you talk about achievements or awards in any ICC tournaments, Virat Kohli‘s name has to be there and the talismanic Indian batsman stands out as the only player to have won two “Player of the Tournament” in the history of the T20 World Cup, in 2014 and 2016 editions.His ability to consistently deliver match-winning knocks under immense pressure is truly awe-inspiring.Kohli’s hunger for success, coupled with his impeccable technique and mental fortitude, has earned him a place among the cricketing greats.Shahid Afridi, the flamboyant all-rounder from Pakistan, etched his name in history by claiming the award in 2007. His explosive batting and crafty leg-spin bowling made him a formidable force on the field. Afridi’s ability to single-handedly turn the tide of a match with his audacious strokeplay and clever variations was a sight to behold. Tillakaratne Dilshan, the Sri Lankan batting maestro, was the recipient of the award in 2009. His innovative “Dilscoop” shot and aggressive batting approach left bowlers perplexed and spectators enthralled. Dilshan’s ability to adapt to different situations and his consistency at the top of the order made him a vital cog in Sri Lanka’s success.Kevin Pietersen, the swashbuckling English batsman, claimed the award in 2010. His ability to dominate any bowling attack with his array of audacious shots and sheer power made him a nightmare for opposition teams. Pietersen’s fearless approach and ability to rise to the occasion in crunch situations set him apart from his contemporaries.Shane Watson, the Australian all-rounder, was the deserving winner in 2012. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball made him an invaluable asset to his team. Watson’s power-hitting and incisive bowling spells often turned the tide in Australia’s favor, making him a true match-winner.David Warner, the swashbuckling Australian opener, etched his name in the annals of T20 World Cup history by claiming the award in 2021. His blistering batting displays, coupled with his exceptional running between the wickets, made him a force to be reckoned with. Warner’s ability to set the tone for his team with his aggressive intent was a sight to behold.Sam Curran, the young English all-rounder, emerged as the surprise winner in 2022. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball, coupled with his composure under pressure, made him a standout performer. Curran’s versatility and maturity beyond his years bode well for his future in the game.

‘MS Dhoni has opposite intensity to Virat Kohli’: Former Australian all-rounder compares the two Indian cricket icons | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago05 mins

NEW DELHI: Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has identified Indian cricket icons Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni as the most mentally resilient players he has encountered throughout his extensive career. Watson, who has had a prolific career himself, highlighted Kohli’s mental toughness and unparalleled intensity on the field. Kohli, a right-handed batsman, recently topped the scoring charts in the IPL 2024, amassing 741 runs for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. “There’s only really a couple of other people that I’ve played with or played against who had that consistent intensity every moment of every game. So that’s something about Virat, that we’ve seen in this IPL, just how engaged he is. That’s why he’s been able to sustain such high performances for such a long period of time,” said Watson.On the other side, former Indian captain MS Dhoni is praised for his different approach to the game. Despite a lower intensity level compared to Kohli, Dhoni’s ability to trust his intuition and simplify complex situations into manageable concepts stands out. Even at 42, Dhoni’s strategic acumen and leadership qualities continue to shine.“But then you’ve got on the other side of the fence is MS Dhoni, who is opposite of that intensity from Virat. He doesn’t need to be like nine out of 10 with his intensity level; he needs to be at around six. Even at the ripe of age of 42, he still knows how to be able to let his mind be free to be able to access his skills that are so deeply ingrained,” praised the former Austalia international.Watson also discussed the mental preparation necessary for players transitioning from IPL conditions to international tournaments, such as the Men’s T20 World Cup. He commented, “These are world-class cricketers who are going from an IPL, for example, and they’re gonna have to make little adjustments to the conditions and pitches that they’re gonna be facing. Also, whether it’s temperature, and a new team environment as well. That’s where by understanding these mental skills deeply and applying those into just who you are, you build a really strong, like a bulletproof cocoon around you.”Furthermore, Watson commended Australian captain Pat Cummins for his leadership qualities, particularly his ability to foster an environment where players can express themselves freely and perform without fear of failure. “He gives you the right information to be able to clear your mind so you can, and are getting the best chance of executing your skills. That’s what Pat Cummins does so incredibly well. The reason why in my mind, he’s had so much success is that it’s just natural, which is who he is, how he is and he’s not trying to be someone else,” said Cummins’s compatriot.(Inputs from IANS)

‘KKR had no right to win…’: Former Aussie all-rounder makes bold statement | Cricket News

Danijones8 months ago04 mins

NEW DELHI: Following the Mumbai Indians’ clash with the Kolkata Knight Riders, Australian World Cup-winning all-rounder Shane Watson commented that the Kolkata-based franchise did not deserve to win the match due to their initial loss of five wickets in quick succession.KKR secured a 24-run victory against MI at the Wankhede Stadium, powered by an impressive 83-run partnership between Venkatesh Iyer and Manish Pandey, complemented by Mitchell Starc‘s outstanding bowling performance, claiming figures of 4-33.This win marked Kolkata Knight Riders’ first victory at the Wankhede Stadium in 12 years, bringing them closer to the playoff spots in the tournament.The former Australian cricketer emphasized that the Knight Riders had little justification for winning the match after losing their first five wickets so quickly in their encounter against the five-time champions MI.“KKR had no right to win that game tonight after the position they were in five wickets down. It just shows the fight that they have and also just some of the things that happened. Some of the decisions that were made whether that was bowling changes or batting lineup deployment, some of those decisions were very baffling just to really give KKR the upper hand in a game that was just on a knife’s edge at certain times,” Watson said on Jio Cinema.The 42-year-old further mentioned that this victory would significantly boost the confidence of the Shreyas Iyer-led side.“Look that will give KKR so much confidence to know that they don’t have to be at their very best and be in a position where the game was nearly done and they’ve got the fight and determination to find their way to actually get on the right side of the result,” the two-time IPL champion added.Coming to the match, put to bat first, a solid partnership stand of 83 runs between Venkatesh Iyer (70 off 52) and Manish Pandey (42 off 31) guided KKR to 169. For MI, Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers at 3 for 18 in 3.5 overs with two wickets in one over.In reply, MI were bundled out for 145. Starc made a terrific comeback in the tournament returning with a figure of 4-33 in just 3.5 spells, handing KKR a 24-run victory. Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine both finished with identical figures of 2/22, including some big wickets in the first half of the chase which put KKR on top in the match.Following the win, KKR stand in second place on IPL 2024 standings with 14 points. Meanwhile, MI hold ninth place with 6 points by their name.KKR will next take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday.(With ANI inputs)