Shane Watson's heroics in the IPL final weren't enough as his Chennai Super Kings went down in a final-ball thriller.
However, it wasn't without effort, blood and guts by the veteran Aussie - literally.
Watson top-scored for the match with a defiant 59-ball 80, but was run out in the final over with victory in sight.
It would take a Lasith Malinga slower ball to help Mumbai Indians seal their fourth IPL title on the final ball of the match.
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However, in the immediate, crazed aftermath of the wild one-run result, it was easy to ignore that Watson toiled through injury en route to his brave half-century.
Watson - who recently confirmed his BBL retirement - gave his all for the Super Kings with a bleeding knee, which turned his yellow dacks red.
Teammate Harbhajan Singh zeroed in on the injury on his Instagram story, bringing light to Watson's plight.
"Can you guys see the blood on his knee… he got six stitches after the game... got injured while diving but continue to bat without telling anyone," Harbhajan wrote.
"That’s our @srwatson33. Almost pulled it off for us last night."
Watson rose to lofty heights with Chennai 12 months ago when he scored a century in the final to help the franchise to its third IPL crown.
On Sunday, with title No. 4 for the taking for either side, Chennai battled to keep Mumbai to 149.
However, the reigning champions lost their way in the middle overs, with Chennai 4/82 after 12.4 overs.
From there, Watson - despite his injury - took the game to Mumbai and combined with Dwayne Bravo to bring Chennai to within five runs from three balls when he was run out.
Presumably, off a slow turn, it was the knee injury that hampered Watson's effort before the run out, and he was visibly disappointed when he was caught short.
WHAT DEDICATION?! THIS IS GOD LEVEL! You are one of a kind, champ! #WattoMan #KNEEngaVeraLevel #WhistlePodu4Ever #Yellove #WhistlePodu 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/0e6SycCSAu
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 13, 2019
