A female cricket fan's diary: In the gym with The Royal Gladiator

I had planned to watch the match between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the gym, on the treadmill, with the television on. The music was loud, my sprint was slow and the Royals were on the screen. When Watson, my all-time favourite, came to bowl a couple of overs, it was a sight to behold; with those burly shoulders, the blonde flicks that touched his forehead, he looked drop dead handsome! He got me grooving and the sprint became somewhat gestural. I reacted with joy when he bowled a few unplayable deliveries and with disappointment when he was hit for runs. His bowling figures were not at all pleasing, 2 overs at an economy of 8. “It will probably take me another two games to fully find my feet and bowl exactly how I want to”, Watson’s words crossed my mind and I chuckled. What I was more eagerly awaiting was his batting; the guy was in form and fresh from a century.

The way SRH fought back was commendable and for a moment the modest target of 145 runs scared me. The very thought of Dale Steyn’s outswingers on a pace conducive pitch made me a bit insecure. The thought, ‘he looked upbeat and raring to go, how neat and good he was in the slips, he will bat for long and will take the Royals home’, lifted me. The break was over, I was back on the gym floor. And the Royals took to the crease.

Shane Watson showed his experience and, in the company of his skipper, played intelligent cricket. Not taking many chances to whack the ball, he first ensured that he had his eye in by pushing for ones and twos. He played late and initially, especially against Steyn, chose to cut and run the ball down to the third man area. It was hard not to appreciate him, he defended well and kept himself composed, keeping an alert eye over the asking rate which he never let go beyond reach. When a player like Watson is at the crease and well settled, you expect a riveting display of bating fireworks. Though my stamina, by virtue of working out on the treadmill, dipped, Watson’s guns began to blaze. First he reached 49 off 38 balls in the 15^th over, then bludgeoned another 49 off just 15 balls. That was the over that spelled victory for the Rajasthan Royals. He didn’t care who was bowling, he smashed whoever came his way. Here was a bona fide ‘Gladiator’ who could keep a cricket fan on her toes, like he did to me. I stayed put on the treadmill through the entire RR innings. And the time and energy spent on my team and Watson was worth it.

What is most commendable is the way he has matured as a player. He is an ideal opener in any format of the game, someone who can not only give quick starts but can also act as an pivot around which other team players can build their innings. Watson ‘The Royal Gladiator’ will have a bigger task on hand against RCB tomorrow. I hope the flamboyance of the royal gladiator continues. I am all ready to watch the next match in the gym again and want Watson to stage the same show as he did against SRH.