Kings XI Punjab beat Rajasthan Royals by 48 runs

 
Rajasthan Royals slumped to their third defeat in four games as Kings XI Punjab comprehensively beat them at Mohali tonight. After allowing the Kings XI batsmen to post IPL 2011’s highest total – 195 – the Royals could manage a mere 147 in response.
Both Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh were dismissed off no-balls and riding their luck, they went on to put on a 67-run partnership.
Both Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh were dismissed off no-balls and riding their luck, they went on to put on a 67-run partnership.
Gilchrist and Valthaty also brought up the fastest 50 in IPL history in a partnership that took their team to that score in just 2.5 overs. Gilchrist was dimissed by Shane Wastson for 28 while Valthaty (46), who is now the leading run score in IPL 2011, fell to Shane Warne with the KXIP score at 105 in 9.4 overs.
Shaun Marsh produced a high quality innings of 71 off just 42 deliveries that earned him the Man of the Match award. The highlight was Marsh hitting Warne for three big sixes in the 14th over between long-on and mid-wicket.  
When Marsh was batting, KXIP looked all set to cross 200. But they could only gather 36 runs off their last six overs despite having eight wickets in hand at the start of the 15th over.
When Marsh was batting, KXIP looked all set to cross 200. But they could only gather 36 runs off their last six overs despite having eight wickets in hand at the start of the 15th over.
That total, nevertheless, proved to be far too daunting for the Royals. Openers Rahul Dravid (9) and Swapnil Asnodkar (8) were back in the pavilion within the first three overs. Star batsmen Shane Watson (24) and Ross Taylor (0) also didn’t do much to help the Royals’ cause.
Stuart Binny (30) and Ashok Menaria (34) put up scores of some significance but it was too little as the Royals succumbed to a 48-run defeat. Praveen Kumar and Bhargav Bhatt took two wickets each for KXIP.
The win puts KXIP in the third position, with six points from four games, while RR with five points are fifth in the points table.

Brief scores: Kings XI Punjab 195 for 7 in 20 overs (Shaun Marsh 71, Paul Valthaty 46, Adam Gilchrist 28, Shaun Tait 3/22) beat Rajasthan Royals (Ashok Menaria 34, Stuart Binny 30, Praveen Kumar 2/22, Bhargav Bhatt 2/20) by 48 runs
Man-of-the-Match: Shaun Marsh for his cracking 42-ball 71 (6x4, 3x6)