Quinton de Kock top-scored for the Lucknow Super Giants in their 20-run victory against the Punjab Kings in the IPL on Friday.

The Proteas opener made 46 off 37 balls, including four fours and two sixes, at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

De Kock and Deepak Hooda (34) produced an 85-run partnership after Lucknow lost skipper KL Rahul in the third over.

Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada then tore into the Super Giants batting line-up, finishing with figures of 4-38.

But Dushmantha Chameera, Moshin Khan and Jason Holder played cameos to help Lucknow reach 153-8.

Chameera, Khan and Krunal Pandya then ripped through the Punjab batting order, claiming seven wickets between them as the Kings slumped to 133-8.

Punjab skipper Mayank Agarwal got off to a fiery start but fell to Chameera for 25 followed by the dismissal of Shikhar Dhawan (five). Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone could also not withstand the Lucknow bowling attack.

Bairstow struck five fours in his 32-run innings but was caught off Chameera before Livingstone fell to Khan for 18 off 16 balls.

Rishi Dhawan (21*) continued the fight but did not get support from the other end.

Spinner Pandya bowled a disciplined spell, claiming the two vital wickets of Jitesh Sharma and Bhanuka Rajapaksa.

“The crucial runs at the back end and then the execution with the ball helped us win,” Rahul said. “The way we responded with the ball was phenomenal. Krunal has been brilliant throughout the tournament.”

Pandya was named Man of the Match for his brilliant bowling spell of 2-11 in four overs.

© Agence France-Presse