Inconsistent Kings XI Punjab bow out of Indian Premier League

Shikhar Dhawan scores an unbeaten 95 and Amit Mishra takes a hat-trick as Deccan thrash Kings XI to prevent them reaching the IPL play-offs.

Deccan players congratulate Daniel Christian, centre, who dismissed the Kings XI captain Adam Gilchrist, left, during their 82-run win in the IPL.

DHARAMSHALA // Shikhar Dhawan cracked an unbeaten 95 and Amit Mishra took a hat-trick as Deccan Chargers knocked Kings XI Punjab out of the Indian Premier League with an 82-run victory.

Left-handed opener Dhawan, who hit one six and 14 fours in his 57-ball knock, put on a 131-run partnership for the opening wicket with Ravi Teja (60) as Deccan made 198 for two before bowling Punjab out for 116.

Adam Gilchrist, the Punjab captain, top-scored with a 37-ball 51 with two sixes and six fours, added 61 for the third wicket with Dinesh Karthik (11). But Punjab were always struggling with the bat after a poor performance in the field.

Deccan virtually wrapped up the match when Australian paceman Daniel Christian dismissed Gilchrist and Karthik in the space of three balls to reduce Punjab to 84-4 in 11 overs.

Leg-spinner Mishra's hat-trick came in his third over when he removed Ryan McLaren, Mandeep Singh and Ryan Harris to eventually finish with four for nine.

Deccan, who finished with six wins in 14 matches, were already out of contention while Punjab needed a victory in their last match to keep their hopes alive.

Teja, dropped three times during his 41-ball knock, hit two sixes and five fours in his team's final match, watched by the Dalai Lama who also met players before the start of the game.

He reached his half-century in style, hitting a six off leg-spinner Piyush Chawla who conceded 48 in his four overs. Deccan plundered 113 runs in the last 10 overs to set a target that Kings XI were never really going to reach.