The momentum is with us now - Warne

Shane Warne, the Rajasthan Royals captain, has said the momentum is now with his team as it remains a strong contender in its attempt to reach the semi-finals of the third IPL after a thumping win over Kings XI Punjab in Jaipur. Punjab were steam-rolled by nine wickets and Rajasthan surged to third place in the points table with six wins in eleven games.

"It was a very good performance by our bowlers and batsmen. We also fielded very well. In the last game (against Deccan Chargers) we pulled something out of the bag. We have the momentum with us now," Warne said after the game. He credited the win to the performances of fast bowler Aditya Dole, who grabbed the wickets of Yuvraj Singh and Mahela Jayawardene in one over, and opener Michael Lumb, who blasted 83 to make short work of a target of 154.

"(Aditya) Dole showed a lot of character after that dropped catch and his first spell in getting (Mahela) Jayawardene and Yuvraj (Singh) out in the same over (12th over). Then Michael Lumb played a fantastic innings with Naman Ojha supporting him," Warne said.

Rajasthan raced to their eighth win in as many games at their original home venue, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, which hosted its first game of the IPL's third edition. They play two of their three remaining games at the same venue. "We have had a tough week. Four games in eight days, lots of travel, lots of matches, very nice to get home here. We have held our home record here.

"Now we have three games at home, two big games coming up. It would be tough matches. This (crowd support) could make the difference."

Kumar Sangakkara, the Punjab captain, said the loss of Yuvraj and Jayawardene in the same over, and Rajasthan's attacking start to the chase, cost his team the match. Punjab had been 108 for 2 at one stage, but managed just 27 in their last five overs.

"We got a great good start, 100 in 10 overs. They bowled really smartly to hold us back. The 12th over turned the match with the wickets of Yuvraj Singh and Mahela Jayawardene falling in that over. We also could not score much in the last six overs," Sangakkara said. "It was a good track, although slow, but they bowled really well. Siddharth Trivedi especially.

"We didn't bowl or field well. Our bowlers did not bowl at the right areas in the first six overs of Rajasthan run chase. The first six overs cost us the match."