Pune: Pune Warriors recovered from a shaky start to score their second consecutive victory in the Indian Premier League as they defeated Kings XI Punjab by 22 runs, here on Sunday.
Clambering at 32 for two at one stage after electing to bat, Pune Warriors posted a competitive 166 for six, built around 81-run partnership between Marlon Samuels (46) and Robin Uthappa (40).
It was not a big total to chase but a good start always helps and it was not the case with Punjab. They lost both the openers — Paul Valthaty (1) and skipper Adam Gilchrist (6) — in run outs.
The Punjab batsmen never recovered from the twin blows and all they could manage was 144 for eight in reply.
Apart from top-scoring for Warriors, Samules also contributed with the ball, giving away 23 runs in his three overs and taking one wicket.
Warriors had beaten formidable Mumbai Indians in their tournament opener.
Earlier, ODI specialist Manoj Tiwary scored a half-century but that wasn’t enough as Rajasthan Royals coasted to a comfortable 22-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders in Jaipur on Sunday.
Rajasthan registered their second win of the tournament today after thrashing Kings XI Punjab by 31 runs in their lung opener at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium here. Tiwary scored 59 off 49 balls with seven fours but could never force the issue as he ran out of partners till Brett Lee smashed a quickfire 25 off 11 balls with two fours and two sixes. Cooper cleaned up Lee but by then the match was as good as over.
With the likes Jacques Kallis (5), Brendon McCullum (2), Gautam Gambhir (0), Yusuf Pathan (15) again failed with the willow as Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise flattered to deceive as it has been the case in the four previous seasons.Rajasthan bowlers maintained a disciplined line with Caribbean seamer Kevon Cooper being the pick of the bowlers with three for 28. (PTI)