IANS/Hyderabad
Kings XI Punjab outplayed Deccan Chargers to clinch a crucial tie by 25 runs in Indian Premier League (IPL) at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here yesterday.
JUBILANT: Kings XI Punjab captain David Hussey (L) celebrates with his team member Ramesh Powar after winning the IPL Twenty20 match against Deccan Chargers at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
An aggressive knock of 75 by Mandeep Singh and the superb performance by its bowlers helped Kings XI to grab two points to move up the fifth position on the points table and remain in the hunt for a place in the play-offs while Chargers continued to languish at the bottom with their ninth defeat in 12 matches.
Playing their first match at the home ground, Chargers came a cropper once again. Chasing a target of 171, the team could score 145 in 20 overs.
The visitors failed to break the jinx at the home ground as the visitors dominated the game.
Shikhar Dhawan and Cameron White, the two most successful batsmen of Chargers in the tournament so far, fell cheaply after scoring eight runs each while captain Kumar Sangakarra (4) failed yet again
Harris (30) was top scorer for the hosts while others gave up without a fight. Harris fell to captain David Hussey in the 11th over. White departed in the same over to leave the home struggling at 71 for four. Four balls later Sangakarra was stumped off Praveen Kumar. In a span of eight deliveries, the Chargers had crumbled.
With the asking rate mounting, both Jhunjhunwala and Akshath Reddy tried to cut loose but could not carry on. They added 43 runs for the sixth wicket.
Praveen Kumar, Awana and Hussey claimed two wickets each while Praveen Chawla bagged one.
