SHANE WATSON literally put his body on the line for the Chennai Super Kings during their IPL final defeat to the Mumbai Indians. Aussie batter Watson, 38, has suffered with injuries throughout his entire career. 2 Shane Watson suffered a bloody left leg playing in the IPL final Credit: BCCI 2 The ace put his body on the line with an incredible performance Credit: Getty Images But that didn’t stop the veteran from giving everything during the thrilling season finale. He hit 80 from 59 balls against the league’s best bowlers to put his side within touching distance of a famous win. Those chances were cruelly dashed as Mumbai snatched a dramatic win at the death. But it was Watson’s willingness to bleed for the cause which was the talking point afterwards. He heroically slid for a run which was unfortunately too late. And pictures show blood pouring from a wound on his leg. However, Watson kept on playing the match, single-handedly inspiring his side to push their opponents all the way. And the superstar even required six stitches after the game, proving just how badly injured he was. Cricket fans couldn’t stop talking about Watson’s heroic actions, with one saying: “Heartbroken. What a player he is. Absolute champion. Blessed to have this man.” Another wrote: “With blooded left knee. Respect your dedication level sir. We should have won at least for this man’s efforts.” One tweeted: “Went about his business on the field without anybody knowing about what he was going through physically. “IPL is not fixed. These guys don’t play only for the money. This is passion.” Another added: “There are no words to describe this legend. Even 100 trophies aren’t enough for his performance. “Hoping this generation of cricketers have at least half the passion you have.” Wit Blooded left knees...💔💔#shanewatson ..Respect your Dedication level Sir...🙏🙏🙏..@ChennaiIPL We should won atleast for this Man's Efforts..😢😢 pic.twitter.com/7m2odsleBr — $ìv@ (@itissivaram) May 13, 2019 Shane Watson batting in the IPL Final with blood on his knees, had 6 stitches after the game but went about his business on the field without anybody knowing about what he was going through physically. IPL is not fixed. These guys don't play only for the money. This is passion. pic.twitter.com/F11ziWzbNs — Manya (@CSKian716) May 13, 2019 There is no words to describe this legend #shanewatson. Even 100 trophies aren't enough for his performance. Hoping this generation cricketers have atleast half the passion u have💕 pic.twitter.com/VEoB88JskS — Sanjay (@Sanjayajay08) May 13, 2019<doc-sep>CSK fans can’t thank Watson enough for his dedication. CSK fans can’t thank Watson enough for his dedication. In a nail-biting finish, Mumbai Indians won the IPL 2019 just by one run and prevented defending champions Chennai Super Kings from retaining the trophy. Chasing a modest target of 150, most of Chennai’s batsmen failed to deliver, with the exception of Shane Watson. Watson almost took them over the line, but ultimately was dismissed in a last over run out. Although he lost the match, the Australian is getting a lot of praise after it emerged that he was playing with a bleeding knee. A day after the finale, photos emerged of the ace Australian batsman playing with what appeared to be a bloody knee as images showed his yellow pant with bloodstains on it. Despite the injury, Watson pulled off a brilliant 80-run knock off 59 balls to change the momentum of the game in Chennai’s favour. The CSK was close to winning big but a superb slow ball by Lasith Malinga helped MI win the match by 1 run and fourth title. Watson’s CSK teammate Harbhajan Singh praised the batsman for his dedication and revealed that the Australian required six stitches later. In a post on his Instagram-story, Singh wrote, “Can you guys see the blood on his knee..he got 6 stitches after the game..got injured while diving but continue(d) to bat without telling anyone.” He also added five stars and wrote, “That’s out Shane Watson. Almost pulled it for us last night.”‘ Chennai fans also praised the Australian for going above and beyond to make sure his team wins. This proves the passion for cricket is something eose🙏🏽#Shanewatson at this age, wow✌ pic.twitter.com/47DzORbiHN — Malayalam BoxOffice (@malyalammovieBO) May 14, 2019 #ShaneWatson the man with a true dedication. I don’t see any player like this dedication. After see this I don’t need trophy.. Your inning is a trophy for us. #WattoMan come stronger next season. We all love you 3000#Yellove pic.twitter.com/ph5tqetou4 — Being Bharat (@Being___Bharat) May 14, 2019 We ain’t need the trophy , we need him @ShaneRWatson33 cant thank you enough for ur dedication loads of love to u sir 🙏🙌❤️ https://t.co/8oBtBsBfPn — sulakshana (@sanjanajaganna1) May 14, 2019 Cup Don’t Deserve You @ShaneRWatson33 🙏❤ Real Hero Of The Fınale! #ShaneWatson #Watson#WattoMan #Watto! pic.twitter.com/1nf1CZfg0I — V ı N A Y C H A G A N T I 😎 (@VinayChaganti0) May 14, 2019 Eyes watering. What level of dedication man!! You go, champ. https://t.co/27WanNEnSJ — She who must not be named (@TheConfusedOn13) May 14, 2019 Shane Watson. The ultimate hero. Who showed the world the color of blood can be yellow. God bless you #Watto You are a superhero. @ShaneRWatson33 Proud and honored that you are #CSK. #yellove #ChennaiSuperKings #IPL #ShaneWatson pic.twitter.com/pgpmmalKTA — Kasturi Shankar (@KasthuriShankar) May 13, 2019 This made me cry😫😫 …no words for this.. totally speechless..😐😶 What a man… 🙌 Dedication & Effort👏 WARRIOR …LEGEND 🙏 He deserve ipl trophy.💝😔😔#Watto @ChennaiIPL@ShaneRWatson33 respect for you increased even more.😍 pic.twitter.com/41qsRg5tVT — яιѕнι◐.̃◐#мο∂ι (@being_rishi7) May 13, 2019 I am Mumbai Indians fan but after seeing his pics showing blood behind his pads , I think he deserved to win but unfortunately he couldn’t. One thing is for sure that he has won millions of hearts. #Watto — Nishant Parihar (@nsp2607) May 13, 2019 For me, Watson’s yesterday’s inning was the best in the history of IPL. Such dedication. Such passion. It shows what this man is made of. This shows what #CSK is. With wet eyes, I salute you @ShaneRWatson33 . #Watto #ShaneWatson pic.twitter.com/p6JdzxBh5f — Vikaas (@vikaask) May 13, 2019 #Watto Struggled while running 6 stitches after the match.. Dedication level..👏👏 SHANE WATSON Take a bow..YELLOVE💛💛😍😍 pic.twitter.com/YMHznnh3Ir — #Thalapathy 63 (@JillaJayaram5) May 13, 2019 This is how you set examples for the next generation who are Watching the sport. Every action was by choice, not by chance. Take a bow @ShaneRWatson33. Proud fan of @ChennaiIPL forever. 💛 🦁 Shane Watson, Watto Man !! pic.twitter.com/hBd0Y8gjva — Saravanan Hari 💛🦁🏏 ‏ (@CricSuperFan) May 13, 2019 Watson had led Chennai to victory in the finals of the 2018 edition of the IPL.<doc-sep>Remember when former South African skipper Graeme Smith walked out to bat with a broken hand against the Aussies at the SCG Test in January 2009? Or when Anil Kumble took the pitch with a broken jaw and bandaged face in the Antigua Test of 2002 against West Indies? Over the years, cricketers have shown immense courage and determination to help their teams succeed through injuries that could have very well kept them on the sidelines and away from the action. Now, joining the ranks of such brave cricketers happens to be Chennai Super Kings' batsman Shane Watson. In a recent Instagram post, Harbhajan Singh revealed that his CSK teammate Watson batted through a bleeding knee during his 59-ball 80 which went in vain on the night of IPL final against Mumbai Indians on Sunday. “Can you guys see the blood on his knee…he got 6 stitches after the game..got injured while diving but continue to bat without telling anyone. That’s our @srwatson33 Almost pulled it off for us last night,” Harbhajan’s Instagram story read. It was probably the bleeding knee which hampered his running which saw him get run out. Mumbai ultimately won the thriller by a run after Malinga held his nerves and defended just eight runs in the last over. Soon after the match, photos of Watson's bloodied pants went viral online. Fans and spectators of the game were left awestruck by his dedication for CSK and towards the sport and held the Aussie in high regard. Heartbroken ....What a Player He Is ...Absolute Champion #ShaneWatsonBlessed to have this Man @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/a37g8NWUMJ— AnaND 2.O (@ItzAnand__) May 13, 2019 Respect for Shane Watson has gone beyond roof. His left knee seems to be badly injured with blood flowing out. He still batted and dived in the last over. Admirable from Watto to put his body on line at 38 after suffering from injuries throughout his career pic.twitter.com/4yqeGoubk4— Shubh AggarWall (@shubh_chintak) May 13, 2019 Always loved seeing Shane Watson play. That has gone up to another level after knowing what kind of dedication he showed to his team yesterday.With blood flowing from his knees , which required 6 stitches later , Watson hammered 80 against the best bowling line up of the IPL.#CSK pic.twitter.com/xN8DgwrX85— Anish Ancil (@anishancil) May 13, 2019 I am Mumbai Indians fan but after seeing his pics showing blood behind his pads , I think he deserved to win but unfortunately he couldn't. One thing is for sure that he has won millions of hearts. #Watto— Nishant Parihar (@nsp2607) May 13, 2019 Even CSK Haters Also Felt with Watson Innings & Recently Know Watson situation I am #MI fan But Watson innings & Dedications #Watto @ShaneRWatson33 #ShaneWatson pic.twitter.com/mEtpk9Adyp— Anniyan Memes ツ (@AMTAnniyan) May 13, 2019 Shane Watson. The ultimate hero. Who showed the world the color of blood can be yellow. God bless you #Watto You are a superhero. @ShaneRWatson33 Proud and honored that you are #CSK. #yellove #ChennaiSuperKings #IPL #ShaneWatson pic.twitter.com/pgpmmalKTA— Kasturi Shankar (@KasthuriShankar) May 13, 2019 This made me cry ...no words for this.. totally speechless..What a man... Dedication & EffortWARRIOR ...LEGEND He deserve ipl trophy.#Watto @ChennaiIPL@ShaneRWatson33 respect for you increased even more. pic.twitter.com/41qsRg5tVT— яιѕнι◐.̃◐#мο∂ι (@being_rishi7) May 13, 2019 This is how you set examples for the next generation who are Watching the sport. Every action was by choice, not by chance. Take a bow @ShaneRWatson33. Proud fan of @ChennaiIPL forever. Shane Watson, Watto Man !! pic.twitter.com/hBd0Y8gjva— Saravanan Hari ‏ (@CricSuperFan) May 13, 2019 Even CSK Haters Also Felt with Watson Innings & Recently Know Watson situation 🙏💛I am #MI fan But Watson innings & Dedications 👌🔥😭#Watto @ShaneRWatson33 #ShaneWatson pic.twitter.com/mEtpk9Adyp— Anniyan Memes ツ (@AMTAnniyan) May 13, 2019<doc-sep>
In a nail-biting finish, Mumbai Indians (MI) won the IPL 2019 final just by one run and prevented the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) from regaining the trophy. Chasing a modest target of 150, most of the Chennai batsmen failed to deliver, with the exception of opener Shane Watson. He almost took them over the line, but ultimately was dismissed in a last over run out. Although the Men in Yellow lost the final, Watson is getting a lot of praise on social media after fans got to know that he was playing with a bleeding knee. A day after the finale, the CSK off-spinner Harbhajan Singh revealed that Watto had played with a bleeded knee during the run chase. Despite the injury, the veteran Australia batsman pulled off a brilliant 80-run knock off 59 balls to change the momentum of the game in Chennai’s favour. The CSK was close to victory but a superb slow ball from Lasith Malinga powered MI to win their fourth IPL title. Twitterati are in awe of Watto’s fighting spirit and have hailed him as a true warrior. Here are some of the best tweets : Shane Watson. The ultimate hero. Who showed the world the color of blood can be yellow. God bless you #Watto You are a superhero. @ShaneRWatson33 Proud and honored that you are #CSK. #yellove #ChennaiSuperKings #IPL #ShaneWatson pic.twitter.com/pgpmmalKTA — Kasturi Shankar (@KasthuriShankar) May 13, 2019 Whatever this man did last n8 was beyond! I mean Watson played a knock that will be remembered! The blood from his knees …. 😭 …… Sometimes winning is not about the trophies it's about the heart and the soul and the blood that flows💓 #ShaneWatson 🔥 @ShaneRWatson33 pic.twitter.com/hrm3vxaIoT — 🦋• (@melodramaa_) May 13, 2019 https://twitter.com/kettavan_Memes/status/1127984291743391744 Shane Watson batting in the IPL Final with blood on his knees, had 6 stitches after the game but went about his business on the field without anybody knowing about what he was going through physically. IPL is not fixed. These guys don't play only for the money. This is passion. pic.twitter.com/F11ziWzbNs — Manya (@CSKian716) May 13, 2019 This is how you set examples for the next generation who are Watching the sport. Every action was by choice, not by chance. Take a bow @ShaneRWatson33. Proud fan of @ChennaiIPL forever. 💛 🦁 Shane Watson, Watto Man !! pic.twitter.com/hBd0Y8gjva — Saravanan Hari 💛🦁🏏 ‏ (@CricSuperFan) May 13, 2019 When he got run out thought it was a easy two. Now got to know he has batted with the bleeding knee… Massive respect champion 💛 pic.twitter.com/7lcLMtWKbi — Bobgally (@Krishnan_Masi) May 13, 2019 Respect for Shane Watson has gone beyond roof. His left knee seems to be badly injured with blood flowing out. He still batted and dived in the last over. Admirable from Watto to put his body on line at 38 after suffering from injuries throughout his career 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/4yqeGoubk4 — Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) May 13, 2019 https://twitter.com/nsp2607/status/1128012973371355137 This made me cry😫😫 …no words for this.. totally speechless..😐😶 What a man… 🙌 Dedication & Effort👏 WARRIOR …LEGEND 🙏 He deserve ipl trophy.💝😔😔#Watto @ChennaiIPL@ShaneRWatson33 respect for you increased even more.😍 pic.twitter.com/41qsRg5tVT — яιѕнι мο∂ι (@rissssssshi) May 13, 2019