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Praveen Kumar struck in the first over

Last updated on: April 7, 2013 19:25 IST
Kings XI Punjab player Praveen Kumar celebrates after getting the wicket of Pune Warriors player Manish Pandey

Kings XI Punjab produced a clinical bowling performance and equally adept effort with the bat to thrash Pune Warriors India by eight wickets and begin their campaign on a winning note.

It is the first time in any IPL that the Punjab team has won its first match.

Kings XI restricted Pune Warriors to a meagre 99 for nine before notching up the runs with a whopping 46 balls left.

Angelo Mathews' decision to bat first backfired badly as the home team batsman produced another inept show failing to dominate the KXIP bowling even once.

The slide started in the very first over as Manish Pandey (0), who has done nothing in the past two seasons to merit a place in the starting XI, failed yet again as he was played on off the last delivery of Praveen Kumar's first over.

Azhar Mahmood struck twice

Last updated on: April 7, 2013 19:25 IST
Kings XI Punjab player Azhar Mahmood celebrates a wicket

Azhar Mahmood was impressive with the ball again, taking two wickets for 19 runs.

The Pakistan-born palyer first had T Suman (6) caught by Praveen Kumar and returned to rattle Bhuvneshwar Kumar's (8) timber.

Chawla removed Uthappa

Last updated on: April 7, 2013 19:25 IST
Kings XI Punjab player Piyush Chawla celebrates after getting the wicket of Robin Uthappa

Marlon Samuels (3) was run-out as Piyush Chawla's immaculate throw landed on top of the stumps and skipper Adam Gilchrist whipped off the bails as the diving Jamaican failed to make his ground. 

If that wasn't enough, Chawla ended Pune's 'Million Dollar' recruit Robin Uthappa's misery as a faster one castled the Karnataka batsman, who scratched around for 23 balls to make only 19.

Awana's beauty accounted for Mathews

Last updated on: April 7, 2013 19:25 IST
Parvinder Awana

At 33 for four, a lot depended on skipper Mathews, who started well with a boundary but got the best delivery of the innings from Parvinder Awana.

Mathews was forced to edge one that had a bit of extra bounce as the ball moved a shade after landing on the good length spot.

Taylor fell to a spectacular catch

Last updated on: April 7, 2013 19:25 IST
Ross Taylor of Pune Warriors bats

At the halfway stage, Warriors were 38 for five any hopes of posting a decent total vanished. 

But there was more misery in store for Warriors as Ross Taylor (15) found out to his amazement. He slog swept a delivery from Praveen and Gurkeerat Mann fielding in the deep fine leg range took a magnificent one handed catch diving to his right.

Marsh made a quickfire 15

Last updated on: April 7, 2013 19:25 IST
Pune Warriors player Mitchell Marsh plays a shot

Mitchell Marsh made an eight-ball 15.

In the process, the young player hit the lone six of the Pune innings, off Praveen Kumar.

Nayar top-scored with 25 not out

Last updated on: April 7, 2013 19:25 IST
Abhishek Nayar of Pune Warriors bats

Abhishek Nayar top-scored for Pune Warriors with an unbeaten 25.

The left-hander's 26-ball innings was inclusive of three boundaries.


 

Harris was Punjab's most economical bowler

Last updated on: April 7, 2013 19:25 IST
Ryan Harris of Kings XI

Though he got only one wicket for his effort, rattling Mitchell Marsh's timber in the first ball after the second strategic timeout, Ryan Harris was the best bowler for Punjab.

The Australian bowled four tight overs, conceding just 12 runs.

Gilchrist helped Punjab to a great start

Last updated on: April 7, 2013 19:25 IST
Adam Gilchrist captain of Kings XI Punjab bats

Adam Gilchrist, the captain, helped his side to a great start with the bat.

The Australian took Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the cleaners in the first over, hitting him for two boundaries and a huge six over deep square leg.

He fell for an 10-ball 15, mistiming an Angelo Mathews ball and hitting it straight to Marlon Samuels.

Mandeep Singh made 31

Last updated on: April 7, 2013 19:25 IST
Mandeep Singh of Kings XI Punjab
Mandeep Singh's 26-ball 31 was an impressive knock, inclusive of four boundaries.
 
He also put on 58 runs for the second wicket with Manan Vohra, laying the foundation for the huge win.
 
However, in a bid to finish up things he fell to Rahul Sharma.


Mana Vohra remained unbeaten on 43

Last updated on: April 7, 2013 19:25 IST
Manan Vohra of Kings XI Punjab bats

Manan Vohra began with a flourish, hitting four boundaries in succession in Ashok Dinda's second over, the over cost Pune 21 runs.

The 19-year-old went on to take his side to victory on debut, remaining unbeaten on 43.

Vohra's 28-ball knock was inclusive of seven boundaries. He was named the man-of-the-match for his effort.