Former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee heaped rich praise on MS Dhoni, saying the Chennai Super Kings captain believes in his teammates and commits to the playing XI, more often than not in the Indian Premier League. Lee’s comment came after Shane Watson smashed an unbeaten 83 to shed poor form and help CSK beat Kings XI Punjab by 10 wickets in Dubai on Sunday.
Shane Watson had a string of low scores and was looking out of touch at IPL 2020. Even after a 6-day break, CSK were unable to get their house in order as they were handed their 3rd successive defeat of the season by Sunrisers Hyderabad in Dubai on Friday.
When more changes were expected, MS Dhoni retained the same playing XI from Friday for their crunch game against KXIP, helping raise quite a few eyebrows. In the end, CSK gunned down a 179-run target with 14 balls to spare. More importantly, CSK did not lose a wicket as Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis put on 181 for the opening stand — the highest partnership for the 3-time champions in the history of the competition.
“The great thing about MS Dhoni is he believes his players, commits to the XI that are there. He also backs the 13-14
that are there if there’s an injury. It’s the XI he believes in, commits to the team. They played so well and as they say, the lions will sleep pretty well tonight” Brett Lee told Star Sports on Sunday.
Lee shed light on how his former Australia teammate changed his approach, trying to hit in the V instead of going for cross-batted shots early in his innings. Watson needed just 53 balls for an unbeaten 83 as he hit 11 boundaries and 3 sixes. Du Plessis finished with an unbeaten 87 from 53 balls.
“Hats off to MSD for providing Watson with that opportunity and back his teammate. Watto came out and totally dominated it. The way he went down the line and didn’t go across the line the last few games he went across the line. When he is on form, he can do it but Shane Watson, tonight, was on fire,” Lee said.
