Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by six wickets on Monday at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.
With the win, KXIP has acquired the third position in the IPL points table, with four wins and two losses, whereas SRH slid to the fourth place with three wins and as many losses.
Top-order KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal scored match-winning fifties as Punjab chased down a tricky target of 151.
Despite losing the big-hitter Chris Gayle (16) early in the PowerPlay overs, Rahul and Mayank took on the Hyderabad bowlers, as they added 114 for the second wicket.
With the dismissal of Mayank (55), Hyderabad once again turned the tables in their favour. Mayank was dropped by Yusuf on 40, leading to the loss of two wickets – David Miller and Mandeep Singh – in quick succession, off pacer Sandeep Sharma
David Warner batted through the innings to remain unbeaten on 70 as Hyderabad posted 150 for the loss of four.
Before Warner and his Ashes rival Jonny Bairstow could settle, off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck the English man Bairstow cheaply for one, leaving Hyderabad struggling at seven for one on a sluggish pitch.
R Ashwin first got Shankar (26) caught behind and then run out Nabi (12), who was way too out of his non-striker’s end when Warner smashed the ball back at the off-spinner.
Things started working for Hyderabad as Warner and Manish Pandey settled the nerves, adding 55, to cross the 100-run mark for their side before the Australian batsman lost Pandey (19) off fast bowler Mohammed Shami.
Deepak Hooda, however, carried the momentum as he looted 14 runs off Shami in the last over to lift Hyderabad.
KXIP will fly to play against Mumbai Indians on April 10, while SRH will host Delhi Capitals on April 14.
Brief scores: Kings XI Punjab 151/4 (KL Rahul 71*, MA Agarwal 55, Sandeep Sharma 2-21) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad 150/4 (DA Warner 70*, V Shankar 26, R Ashwin 1-30) by six wickets.
(author -ANI)
(this story has been edited slightly)