Riding on an all-round performance by James Faulkner, Rajasthan Royals clinched a comfortable 26 runs win over Kings XI Punjab in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match here on Friday. After posting 162 runs for the loss of seven wickets, Rajasthan bowlers restricted Kings for 136 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs. After being put to bat first by the Kings XI Punjab, James Faulkner scored 46 off 33 balls and took 3 wickets to help his side achieve a 26-run victory. Captain Steve Smith also chipped in with 33 off 23 after the Royals lost both their openers early on in the innings. Deepak Hooda scored a quickfire 30 off 15 balls to help his side post a competitive total of 162 runs on the scoreboard. After a disastrous start to the chase, Axar Patel(24), David Miller(23) and George Bailey(24) tried to put up a fight but it was left too late in the innings to reach anywhere near the target. Sanju Samson pulled off two run-outs during the second innings. Virender Sehwag, who is struggling to get a place back into the Indian team, scored a duck as Tim Southee took his wicket with the very first ball of the Kings XI Punjab innings.
