Easy win for Rajasthan

Rajasthan Royals got their Indian Premier League campaign off to a bright start beating Kings XI Punjab by 26 runs at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium here on Friday.

Chasing 163 runs to win, Punjab's reply never really got going and they only managed to reach 136/8 in their 20 overs.

Australia's World Cup hero James Faulkner was Royals' star man was well with his innings-pacing knock of 46 runs and then taking 3/26 with the ball.

The Punjab run chase got off to the worst possible start when Virender Sehwag (0) was out first ball of their innings, edging a Tim Southee delivery to the wicketkeeper.

Earlier, Rajasthan Royals posted 162/7 in their 20 overs.

SCORES IN BRIEF

RAJASTHAN: 162 for 7 in 20 overs (Smith 23, Hooda 30, Faulkner 46; Anureet 3-23, Johnson 2-34)

PUNJAB: 136 for 8 in 20 overs (Vijay 37, Patel 24, Miller 23, Bailey 24; Southee 2-36, Faulkner 3-26)

Result: Rajasthan won by 26 runs.

Player-of-the-match: James Faulkner.