Last season’s runners-up Chennai Super Kings had been struggling at 1-3 heading into Sunday’s clash with Kings XI Punjab but churned out a stunning 10-wicket win to kickstart their stuttering season.
CSK also ended the run of sides batting first winning every game at Dubai, with Kings XI winning the toss and electing to bat first, before posting a below-par 4-178.
Despite that, Chennai had a tough chase on their hands but ex-Australia all-rounder Watson and former South Africa captain du Plessis made light work of the target, winning with 14 balls to spare.
Watson blasted 83no from 53 balls, including three sixes and 11 fours, while du Plessis managed 87no from 53 deliveries, with one six and 11 boundaries.
Their opening-wicket stand was the ninth best in IPL history and the fourth best first-wicket partnership ever in the competition too.
Player of the Match Watson said: “I felt like something has been slightly off technically so it was nice for it to come off. It’s just a combination of technique and intent.
“I was able to get the weight through the ball a lot better. We do compliment each other well. There are bowlers he (Faf) prefers to take on and he’s a great guy. It’s good batting with him.
“With so much experience and the success the franchise have had, they believe in the players. We just knew we had to do a few things better. It came together.”
CSK skipper MS Dhoni praised the pair who hadn’t started the 2020 campaign overly well, acknowledging Watson had been hitting the ball well, while backing du Plessis as the side’s “anchor”.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Mumbai Indians moved clear at the top with a 34-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the earlier Sunday game in Sharjah.
Quinton de Kock made 67 at the top of the order for Mumbai while Player of the Match Trent Boult took 2-28 in an economical four-over spell, including the wickets of countryman Kane Williamson and dangerous opener Jonny Bairstow.