Kings XI Punjab lost to Rajasthan Royals

Kings XI Punjab lost to Rajasthan Royals in their opening of Indian Premier League 2015 by 26 runs

Kings XI Punjab has won the toss and they choose to bowl first. Steven Smith is leading Rajasthan Royals in absence of Shane Watson because of his bruised hip.

Rajasthan Royals have lost three early wickets in first six overs with just 35 runs on the board. Smith too fails to get hold of the game to long and gave a simple catch to Karanveer. Johnson strikes off Binny as soon as he entered the field. Faulkner and Hooda faced the task of giving Rajasthan a good finish as Punjab continued to maintain pressure. Rajasthan finish with 162/7. The last 5 overs cost Punjab 52 runs.

Tim Southee bowled the first ball for Rajasthan Royals and found the edge of sewag’s bat which is pouched by the keeper. Kings XI Punjab is putting runs like a storm with 32/2 in just 3 overs. Saha got unexpected discharge for wandering out of his crease. Faulkner knocked down the big man and his fellow mate Maxwell putting Kings XI Punjab in pressure zone. With dismissal of Vijay and Miller Punjab was on 92/4 in 13 overs. Punjab hopes comes to an end when they lost three more wickets which brought them to 122/6 in 17.3 overs.

Rajasthan Royals wind up the game for Kings XI Punjab at 136/8 and won by 26 runs. The man of the match was crowned to James Faulkner who took 3 wickets and scored smashing 46 runs.