The Kings XI Punjab took on the new outfit Gujarat Lions in their first match of IPL 2016. Both teams were looking for their first win, as they locked horns at the PCA stadium, Mohali. Raina won the toss and chose to field first.

KXIP innings started on a good note with their openers, Murali Vijay and Manan Vohra, playing shots all over the ground. It felt as if Punjab were in for a big score when they lost Manan Vohra! He made the faintest of contact with the ball, and the keeper did not allow Vohra a second chance. Ravindra Jadeja struck for the second time when he bowled a skidder to Murali Vijay which hit the woodwork when he missed the line. Dwayne Bravo bowled a slew of slower ones to get the dangerous Glenn Maxwell and David Miller. Wriddhiman Saha and Marcus Stoinis kept Kings XI going, and ensured that they would reach a decent total. Bravo came back to claim Saha and Stoinis off the last over to end the night with figures of 4-22.

The new outfit got off to a quick start even after losing McCullum in the first over. Aaron Finch in the company of the skipper took the fight back to the opposition. Suresh Raina lost his wicket at the end of power play, when he was foxed by a slower delivery from Mitchell Johnson. Dinesh Karthik gave ample support to Finch. Credit must be given to Finch, who played a fearless knock of 74 from 47 balls. Punjab had a window of opportunity when Finch and Jadeja went back in quick succession. But, Dinesh Karthik braved his nerves and kept calm to steer GL to their maiden IPL victory.