JAIPUR, India,, CMC – Trinidadian seamer Kevon Cooper once again played a key role as Rajasthan Royals beat Kings XI Punjab by six wickets, to maintain their lively start to the Indian Premier League season with their third win in four games.
The 24-year-old took two for 33 from three overs to help restrict Kings XI to 124 all out off 18.2 overs, after they were sent in.
Australian David Hussey top scored with 41 from 31 balls while Englishman Azhar Mahmood scored 23 from balls before he was bowled by Cooper in the 18th over.
India fast bowler Shantha Sreesanth (2-20) was among the wickets.
In reply, Royals got a patient unbeaten 34 from 42 balls from opener Ajinkya Rahane while partner Shane Watson stroked a breezy 32 from 19 balls, in a 43-run stand from 28 deliveries, to breeze home in the 13th over.
In Kolkata, Cooper’s fellow countryman Sunil Narine was on the winning side as defending champions Knight Riders beat new franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad by 48 runs.
Opener Gautam Gambhir top scored with 53 from 45 balls while England’s Eoin Morgan weighed in with a stroke-filled 47 from 21 balls, as Kolkata powered their way to 180 for four.
Australia’s Cameron White (34) and Parthiv Patel (27) put on 57 from 54 balls for the first wicket before seamer Jacques Kallis destroyed the innings with a spell of three for 13 from four overs.
Off-spinner Narine finished with one for 31.
