Shane Watson, the former Australia all-rounder and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opener, formally announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old released a video announcing the decision on Tuesday. “This closing chapter is going to be so hard to top, but I am going to try. I truly am forever grateful to have lived this amazing dream,” said the caption.
Watson had informed about his decision after CSK’s final IPL 2020 match against Kings XI Punjab on Sunday, which the Yellow Army won by nine wickets.
“It all started as a dream as a young kid saying to my Mum, as I watched a Test match, that I want to play for Australia. Now as I officially announce my retirement from all cricket I feel crazily lucky to live my dream,” said Watson.
“To think that I’m finishing my playing days as a 39-year-old, after all of my injury setbacks that I had along the way, I feel so ridiculously fortunate.”
Watson, who was bought by CSK two years ago, had already retired from international cricket in 2015. He played a vital role in the Chennai-based franchise’s third IPL title win in 2018 with a century in the final.
Although he had an indifferent season this year, Watson has been one of the icons of the cash-rich league, scoring 3874 runs and picking up 92 wickets in 145 IPL matches.
Before CSK, he had also turned out for Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore and had played a crucial role in the Royals’ maiden title win in the inaugural edition in 2008.
Watson, who has played 59 Tests, 190 ODIs, and 58 T20s at the international level, has won the ICC World Cup with Australia twice, in 2007 and in 2015.
In Tests, Watson scored 3731 runs and picked up 75 wickets, and scored 5757 runs and scalped 168 wickets in ODIs to finish his career as one of the leading all-rounders of his era.
