IPL’s most underrated team, Rajasthan Royals, were straight down to business as they shocked last year’s failed finalists Kings XI Punjab by 26 runs on Friday, 10 th April. The Royals were curtailed to 162/7 but an all-round bowling show stopped the brutal Punjabis to 136/8.
It was an all-Aussie show for the Rahul Dravid-mentored team as Steve Smith’s 23-ball 33 and a late cameo by James Faulkner (46 off 33) took them to a par total on a lively track.
Punjab had to content with Rajasthan’s swing bowling barrage and their powerful but technique-less batting surrendered in front of Faulkner (3/26) and Tim Southee (2/36).