Gilchrist’s men outplay Warne’s

Match Report – IPL4: Kings XI Punjab v Rajasthan Royals, Mohali, April 21, 2011

In a match dominated by the Aussie presence, Shaun Marsh outperformed his fellow countrymen to win the match for his franchise. Shane Warne decided to field first on flat deck fearing the dew factor, but his team crumbled under pressure of a huge chase. It was also a clash between Bollywood beauties, Shilpa Shetty and Priety Zinta.

Paul Valthaty and Adam Gilchrist provided Punjab a volcanic start. They put on 67 runs in just 4.1 over before Warne had Gilchrist mistimed one to go for 28 (16b, 4x4, 1x6). Valthaty continued his powerful hitting form till he became Warne’s 50th IPL victim for a quick 46 runs (31b, 4x4, 3x6). Shaun Marsh then took over the charge and played freely hitting the ball around the park. He embarrassed Warne by hitting 3 sixes in one of his overs by slog-sweeping him powerfully as Liz Hurley looked on from the stands.

Marsh was finally dismissed by Watson after he had made 71 off 42 balls with the help of 6 fours and 3 sixes. Royals came back well in the last 5 overs giving away just 26 runs, as Kings Eleven finished at 195 for 7. Shaun Tait had brilliant figures of 3 for 22.

Rahul Dravid and come-back boy Asnodkar were dismissed cheaply by Ryan Harris and Praveen Kumar respectively, jolting the chase from the outset. Watson started with 3 fours off an Harris over, but was undone by a lovely slower one from Kumar. When Piyush Chawla got Ross Taylor for a duck, the match was effectively over for the Royals. Although Stuart Binny and Menaria played good hands of 30-odd each, Royals could make only 147 for 7 in their 20 overs, losing the match by 48 runs.

Kings XI Punjab 197/7 (Marsh 71, Tait 3/22) beat Rajasthan Royals 147/7 (Menaria 34, Bhatt 2/20, Kumar 2/22) by 48 runs

Man of the match: SE Marsh (Kings XI Punjab)