Mohali, April 19:

A pair of Australians treated a buzzing Mohali crowd to a run-filled clash at the Indian Premier League (IPL). Unfortunately for Kings XI Punjab, James Hopes’ 32-ball 71 couldn’t overhaul a massive target of 241. Michael Hussey’s unbeaten 114 left Punjab a mountain to climb and with Yuvraj Singh dethroned early they could only muster 207 for 4.

The Hussey-Suresh Raina stand yielded 66 in five overs. Raina’s 32 from 13 balls was a powerful effort before he fell attempting a fourth six. Hussey reached century with a single off Brett Lee. It took just 50 balls. Hussey celebrated with two more sixes and Chennai took 25 off the final over.

The tournament opener on Friday in Bangalore began and ended with Brendon McCullum’s blitzkrieg. McCullum scored unbeaten 158 as the Kolkata Knight Riders beat the Bangalore Royal Challengers by 140 runs. McCullum smashed 10 fours and 13 sixes in his 158 off 73 balls. That guided the visitors to 222-3 and Bangalore were all out for just 82.