Their next challenge will be to take on the reigning Champions, the Mumbai Indians, in front of what is sure to be a huge and fanatical crowd at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.
The Lions have batted second in both of their games so far, successfully chasing down totals of over 160 on both occasions.
In their first ever IPL fixture the KIngs XI Punjab ran up 161-6 in their 20-overs. However, as the Kings XI were 101-2 with more than 8-overs remaining, the Lions were well satisfied with their efforts with the ball. Despite the loss of Brendon McCullum for a second ball duck, Aaron Finch smashed 74 to set them on their way, and Dinesh Karthik rushed the past the target with 41 not out from 26 deliveries.
On Thursday, the Lions won the clash of the two IPL newcomers, when they chased down 164 to beat the Rising Pune Supergiants by 7-wickets with two overs to spare. Aaron Finch posting yet another half-century, this time ably supported by McCullum with 49. Dwayne Bravo rushing the game to a finish with 22 from just 10 balls.
The Indians started the defence of their title in disastrous fashion, losing the tournament’s opening fixture against Pune by 9-wickets, after managing to post just 121-8.
On Wednesday, however, they opened their account with a stunning win in Kolkata against the Knight Riders. Facing 187-5, they were able to reach their target with five balls left, thanks in the main to Rohit Sharma who scored an unbeaten 84 from 54 deliveries.
Jos Buttler finishing the game as a contest by crashing 41 off of the 22 balls he faced. His powerful late innings hitting ay hold the key to Mumbai’s hopes of a third title in four years.