The start for Kings XI Punjab may be patchy, but thanks to the team spirit shown by these ambitious men led by David Hussey, even MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings bit the dust on Saturday.

Batting first at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Punjab posted as respectable target of 157, courtesy a responsible 56 by the young Mandeep Singh. In reply, Chennai could only notch up 149 for eight in 20 overs after Azhar Mahmood rocked their batting line-up with a haul of three for 25.

Here are some of the performances which mattered and were responsible to determine the course of the match.

Hits and flop of Kings XI Punjab:

Hits:

Mandeep Singh: Mandeep Singh was the man who led the batting chart of Punjab. He scored 50 balls 56 which included five fours and a six. He created a great platform for rest of the players to perform but they however faltered.

Shaun Marsh: He was cruising before getting run out in a most unusual fashion. He was looking dangerous before he was out at 32 of 22 deliveries hitting four fours and a six.

Azhar Mahmood: It was this all-rounder from Pakistan who turned the match in Punjab’s favor. After playing a cameo with the bat he scalped three important wickets to scalp to help his side script the victory.

Flops:

Middle order batsmen: Mandeep and Marsh set up an ideal perform for the middle order batsmen to come and fire. But they faltered in their endeavor and after a good start could only manage 156 on board.

Hits and flops and Chennai Super Kings:

Hits

Albie Morkel: He bowled a brilliant line and ran through the Punjab middle order to restrict them to a decent score of 157. He took three wickets by giving away 29 runs.

Flops:

Batting: Baring some two or three performances, none of the batsmen could take up the challenge and crumbled due to some great bowling performance by Kings XI Punjab.

By Samikshan Dutta Choudhury

Indian Sports News