Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has decided to retire from all cricket after Chennai Super Kings failed to reach the Indian Premier League playoffs, the cricketer announced through a video posted on his Twitter handle.
The 39-year-old retired from international cricket in 2016 and bid adieu to the Australian Big Bash league last year.
“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,” Watson said in a video posted on his Twitter handle.
“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. Now onto the next exciting one...,” Watson said.
The 39-year-old had already told his Chennai teammates of his decision in an “emotional” speech after their last IPL game on Sunday.
The franchise also confirmed the development with a post wishing Watson the very best for the future.
Thank you Watto Man, for everything. May your next chapter open with a bang, as always. Farewell beloved. 🦁💛 #ThankYouWattoMan #WhistlePodu #Yellove pic.twitter.com/lksEyODg19
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 3, 2020
Tributes have already been made to the former stalwart of the Australian Test side.
“The curtain closes on a remarkable IPL career. Congratulations mate you’ve done yourself proud and made every team you’ve played in so complete,” wrote another former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody on Twitter.
The curtain closes on a remarkable @IPL career. Congratulations mate you’ve done yourself proud and made every team you’ve played in so complete. #ShaneWatson
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) November 2, 2020
Watson quit international cricket in 2016 but kept playing in Twenty20 leagues such as the IPL. He retired from Australia’s Big Bash last year.
He has played more than 700 international and domestic matches, scoring more than 25,000 runs with his big-hitting style and claiming in excess of 600 wickets with his pace bowling.
Watson won the inaugural IPL in 2008 with the Shane Warne-led Rajasthan Royals and secured a second with Chennai in 2018.
He has scored 3,874 runs and taken 92 wickets in the world’s richest cricket tournament, where he has played 145 matches for Chennai, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Chennai captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has warned the three-time champions will be making major changes after failing to make the playoffs for the first time. Watson is expected to be the first of many veterans to leave.
Watson was to make a formal announcement on his retirement on his return to Australia from the United Arab Emirates, where the IPL has been held behind closed doors because of the coronavirus.