IPL Warne, Watson fashion Royals's easy win

It was the day of the Australians in Royal Blue colours. First, Shane Warne's tantalising spin bowling and cunning outwitted the Kings XI Punjab batsmen and then Shane Watson's fine knock settled the issue for the home team while chasing a target of 167.

It was a splendid display that would have won Watson his captain and coach Warne's approbation. Watson (76 not out, 49b, 5x4, 5x6) amply demonstrated that wrist work was not necessary to flay the bowling and that a batsman such as him, endowed with strong shoulders and powerful arms, could thrash the bowling and unnerve the rival ranks.

After another disappointing performance by the Royals' opening pair, Watson forged a useful 51-run stand with fellow Australian Darren Lehmann and thereafter led his team to a thumping win in the company of Ravindra Jadeja, with the left-hander carting half-a-dozen big blows and staying put in the middle until the task was accomplished.

Kings XI captain Yuvraj brought back Brett Lee for a second spell, but by then Watson had done sufficient damage to make the target less imposing. Yuvraj's team suffered its second defeat and would mull over its inadequacy in the bowling department.