Livingstone - the most expensive Englishman in the IPL auction in February - smashed 60 from 32 balls with the bat, and claimed two wickets with the ball, in a fine allround performance
Mumbai: Punjab Kings 180-8, Chennai Super Kings 126 - Punjab Kings won by 54 runs
Liam Livingstone announced himself to the Indian Premier League as Punjab Kings inflicted a crushing victory over defending champions Chennai Super Kings.
Livingstone - the most expensive Englishman in the IPL auction in February - smashed 60 from 32 balls with the bat, and claimed two wickets with the ball, in a fine allround performance.
The 28-year-old clattered five sixes in his explosive stay at the crease, as Punjab Kings looked to be rattling along to a massive score when they reached 109 for 2 just before the halfway mark.
However, a fine spell by Chris Jordan (2 for 23 from four overs) ensured the Kings only added 71 in the second half of their innings, allowing CSK - who opted to chase in pursuit of a first win of the campaign - to retain hopes of a routine win.
Liam Livingstone celebrates Punjab Kings' victory (screengrab/BCCI)
That never materialised, though. Chennai spluttered throughout their innings, with only Shivam Dube - who made 57 from 30 balls batting at No.6 - passing 23.
Vaibhav Abora, a seamer making his competition debut for Punjab, starred with the ball - claiming 2 for 21 from four overs, including the wickets of Robin Uthappa (13) and Moeen Ali (a two-ball duck).
His contribution reduced CSK to 23 for 4 inside the powerplay, and there was no coming back, despite Dube's best efforts.
Livingstone, meanwhile, took 2 for 25 with his spin variations, one of which came by way of a superb diving catch off his own bowling to get rid of Dwayne Bravo.
Chennai have now lost all three of their matches so far during their title defence. Punjab Kings, with two wins from three, move to fourth.
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