Jaipur: Ajit Chandila picked up 4-13, including a hat-trick while Shane Watson came up with an all-round effort to help Rajasthan Royals win by 45 runs against Pune Warriors at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur on Sunday.
Pune Warriors were once reeling at 26 for 4 in five overs after hosts Rajasthan Royals scored a challenging 170/4.
Pune got off to a disastrous start as Ajit Chandila's hat-trick reduced them to 11/3 in 2.1 overs.
Chandila dismissed Jesse Ryder and Sourav Ganguly on the final two deliveries of the very first over and then sent back Robin Uthappa on the first ball of the third over to complete the first hat-trick of this tournament.
Before the visitors could recover from the triple-blow, Chandila struck again to dismiss Anustup Majumdar, giving hosts command.
Though Ferguson and Smith tried to consolidate, Botha spun magic to send them back in hut.
Johan Botha scalped Callum Ferguson (23) and Steven Smith (37) to leave Pune Warriors six down for 89.
Earlier, Shane Watson scored a fiery 58 while Ajinkya Rahane made a gritty 61 to help Rajasthan Royals score 170/4.
For Pune Ashish Nehra claimed three wickets while Angelo Mathews bagged the only wicket of Rahane.
Watson appeared in his aggressive best and reached his half-ton in just 27 deliveries. His knock of 58 was studded with four sixes and six boundaries.
Brief scores
Rajasthan Royals 170 for 4 (Rahane 61, Watson 58, Nehra 3-23)
Pune Warriors 125 for 9 (Smith 37, Chavan 4-13, Watson 3-19, Botha 2-25)
Result Rajasthan Royals won by 45 runs
MOM Ajit Chandila (Rajasthan Royals)
Points Rajasthan Royals 2, Pune Warriors 0