Leg-spinner Mayank Markande (4-15) made a dream debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad as the home team contained Punjab Kings for 143-9 on Sunday. Even though the SRH bowlers held centre stage, it was skipper Shikhar Dhawan (99 not out; 66 balls 12x4, 5x6), who stole the show with the willow to give Kings a fighting total. SRH won the toss and decided to bowl, a decision that was vindicated with a first-ball wicket when Bhuvneshwar Kumar trapped the dangerous Prabhsimran Singh in front. 

South African Marco Jansen, playing in his first match, made further inroads into the Punjab’s citadel by removing Matthew Short, who came in for the injured Bhanuka Rajpaksha, and Jitesh Sharma. Punjab were reduced to 22-3 in 3.5 overs. At the time of going to press, SRH were 54-2 in nine overs.