Balaji takes first IPL Hattrick, Chennai Super Kings beat Kings XI Punjab

Laxmipati Balaji took the first hattrick of the IPL, as Chennai Super Kings beat Kings XI Punjab by 18 runs. Kings XI won the match and elected to field first. Chennai Super Kings batted brilliantly and put up 181/4 in 20 overs. Badrinath scored 64, while Dhoni remained unbeaten on 60. Raina contributed 26. For Kings XI, Sreesanth took 2 wickets.

Chasing a victory target of 182, Kings XI lost crucial wickets in the beginning and then in the middle. Shaun Marsh yet again batted superbly and scored 58. Sarwan contributed 20. When the stakes were down, Irfan Pathan and P Chawla tried their best to reach the target. But Laxmipati Balaji again did the trick and stopped them in the way.

Balaji took a hattrick in the final over, removing Pathan, Chawla and VRV Singh. Kings XI Punjab managed to score 163/9 in 20 overs, thus losing the match by 18 runs. Pathan scored 40. Balaji, who took 5/24 in 4 overs, was declared "Man of the Match".