Jaipur, April 21: Hometown boys Rajasthan Royals put up a gritty show to outwit fancied opponents Kings XI Punjab and grab their first win in the Indian Premier League match here on Monday. Chasing a competitive total of 167, the home side cruised to 168/4 in 18.1 overs to win convincingly by six wickets.

Inspired by a packed house and lively folk songs from noted singer Ila Arun, it was a perfect Hulla Bol - as the folk troupe sang - from the side rated underdogs on the eve of the match. It was an Aussie party in the heart of Rajasthan as the star players dished out a memorable performance in front of a packed house at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium here.

After skipper Shane Warne (3/19) set the momentum early on, man of the match Shane Watson (76 not out, 49 balls, 5x4, 5x6) and Darren Lehmann led from the front to take the punch out of the Kings XI attack.

It also took a brave effort from Saurashtra all-rounder Ravinder Jadeja (36 not out, 25 balls, 5x4, 1x6) who chipped in at the end with a crucial knock to set the crowd on their feet.

Coming in after Lehmann's departure (17 off 16), the Under-19 World Cup batsman never let the pressure get the better of him.

The asking rate was soaring (almost 9 per over) as were the spirits of the Royals. The duo grew in resolve with every passing over and eased the pressure with a series of sixes and boundaries, that also included one over from Piyush Chawla that cost 15 runs. Watson was a delight to watch with every six he hit landing on the stadium roof.

The early jolts in the form of Mohammed Kaif (5) and Yusuf Pathan (7) did not deter the middle-order batsman who left nothing to chance. Irfan Pathan (1/21) was the only one to finish with decent figures for Kings XI.

Earlier, the contest between Aussie legend Shane Warne and Kings XI skipper Yuvraj Singh set the ball rolling for the intriguing clash. The retired legspinner showed he still had enough firepower and troubled the deep batting lineup of Kings XI who cruised to 166/8 in their allotted overs.

Extracting sharp turn on a wicket that had something for the bowlers, the 38-year ensured that favourites Kings XI did not enjoy a smooth run.

The arrival of Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal - flown in on a special chartered plane on Monday morning - also gave a fresh lease of life to the home side.

Punjab youngster Karan Goel and Australian James Hopes (16 off 16 balls) began at a brisk pace whacking medium-pacers Munaf Patel (1/36) and Siddharth Trivedi (2/25) all over the park. It was left for Warne to do the repair work, which he did commendably.

Kings XI scored at will with right-hand Punjab batsman Goel (26 off 21, 3x4, 2x6) showing flashes of brilliance during his short stay. Kumar Sangakkara joined the party after Patel's brilliant yorker sent Goel back to the pavilion. A glorious four to start with, the Sri Lankan punished Trivedi in the very next over. A huge six over long off, was followed by two boundaries as the visitors raced to 54/1 in six overs.

The Royals knew their only chance was to get wickets. Coach-cum-skipper Warne (4-0-19-3) came on and the game took a different turn. The leggie got rid of dangerman Sangakkara 20 (8 balls) to sound the warning bells for the Kings XI. Hopes was the next to go, caught plumb in front of the wicket reducing Kings XI to 72/4 in 8.6 overs.

The onus now fell on skipper Yuvraj Singh who enthralled the crowd with his lofted sixes and free-flowing boundaries. The all-rounder brought up his 50 in quick time consuming a mere 22 balls that contained six boundaries and three sixes. He also had luck on his side and survived three chances before racing to 57 (34 balls). Baroda pacer Irfan Pathan gave him good company as the duo brought up 63 in 47 balls for the fifth-wicket.

The contest between Irfan and elder brother Yusuf - playing for the Royals - also gave the crowd some cheer before a quickfire 24 (11 balls) from spinner Piyush Chawla helped the Kings XI reach a competitive total.