Jayawardene's contribution wasn't enough

Mahela Jayawardene, who made a match-winning century aggainst Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous match, again top-scored with a 33-ball 44 to help Kings XI Punjab to 153 for six against Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur on Wednesday.

In the process, the former Sri Lankan captain helped himself to six boundaries and one six.

But it wasn't enough in the end.

Electing to bat, the visitors raced to 29 midway through the fourth over with Manvinder Bisla (20) combining well with Jayawardene.

However, Shane Watson dismissed Bisla at that stage.

Bisla mistimed a pull and top-edged to Faiz Faisal at square leg.

Siddharth Trivedi dismissed Kumar Sangakkara (9) off his first ball to reduce Punjab to 52 for two in 6.1 overs.

Jayawardene continued his good work and picked up two more boundaries, while Yuvraj Singh (28) slog-swept Warne for his first six in the ninth over.

Yuvraj meted out a special treatment to Warne, plundering two sixes and a four to take Punjab to 103 for two in 11 overs.

However, the left-hander's innings came to an abrupt end when he bottom-edged a delivery from Dole onto his stumps.

Irfan Pathan made a 23-ball 24 to help the Punjab team take their score past the 150-run mark.

However, Irfan struggled to break free and had just a single boundary in his innings.

His was an exercise in futility.

Aditya Dole and Siddharth Trivedi were the best bowlers for Rajasthan with figures of two for 36 and two for 22 respectively.

Dole took the vital wickets of Yuvraj Singh and Mahela Jayawardene in the space of three balls.

Shane Watson also  impressed with the ball with figures of one for 19.

Michael Lumb hit a blistering fifty to completely take the game away from Punjab.

The Hampshire batsman, who has made his way into the England squad, made a superlative 43-ball 83.

His knock was inclusive of a whopping 16 hits to the fence and two huge ones over it.

It was his first 50-plus score in the IPL after getting a few 40s to his credit.

More importantly, Lumb was involved in a 109-run opening wicket stand with Naman Ojha (44 not out), a partnership that came off just 57 balls and laid the foundation for Rajasthan's emphatic win.