Kochi knock out Warne’s Rajasthan, Punjab win

NEW DELHI, May 15 (Reuters) - Brad Hodge’s all-round performance powered Kochi Tuskers Kerala to an eight-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals, knocking the Shane Warne-led side out of the playoff race in the Indian Premier League on Sunday.

Australian Hodge claimed four wickets for 13 runs and hit an unbeaten 33 as Kochi skittled out Rajasthan for 97 in 18.3 overs and then returned to chase down the target in just 7.2 overs.

Kochi moved up to the sixth place, just above 2008 winners Rajasthan, to maintain their slender playoff hopes.

In Dharamsala, Kings XI Punjab defeated Delhi Daredevils by 29 runs to stay in the hunt for a playoff berth.

Punjab relied on the 102-run second wicket partnership between Paul Valthaty (62) and Shaun Marsh (46) to post a strong 170 for six at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.

Delhi sorely missed their regular skipper Virender Sehwag, out of the tournament to undergo shoulder surgery, and could only manage 141 for eight wickets to slip to the bottom of the points table.