Kings XI Punjab finally managed to get a win in the 2016 Indian Premier League, defending 154 to beat table-toppers Gujarat Lions by 23 runs at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Sunday. Chasing Punjab's score, Gujarat only managed to put up 131/9 in response.

A battling 55 from new captain Murali Vijay took the Kings XI Punjab to 154 all out in their 20 overs. No one could give Vijay any support, with only fellow opener Marcus Stoinis (27), former captain David Miller (31) and Wriddhiman Saha (33) getting into double figures for Punjab. It was a disciplined performance from the Gujarat Lions, especially from their unorthodox left-arm chinaman bowler Shivil Kaushik, who took 2/20 in his four overs.

The Lions were expected to romp to their target, but Sandeep Sharma struck a blow, dismissing the dangerous Brendon McCullum in the second over. Things soon turned from bad to worse for the Lions as an inspired hat-trick from Axar Patel had them struggling at 39/5. James Faulkner tried to repair the damage with a 27-ball 32, but Punjab held their nerve to record only their second win in the competition.