May 28: A belligerent Shaun Marsh slammed his maiden IPL ton to lead the Kings XI Punjab to a 41-run win over an under-strength Rajasthan Royals at the PCA Stadium here on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old slammed 115 off 69 balls and in the process ended up stealing the Orange Cap — as the tournament’s top scorer – from Delhi Daredevils’ Gautam Gambhir, who held on to the cap most of the way through. Ironically the Western Australian is yet to get a "baggy green" cap.

Marsh’s century propelled the Kings to 221/3 of their 20 overs.

Despite a strong chase, the Royals fell short as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. A stroke-filled half-century from makeshift opener Niraj Patel and brief cameos from Yusuf Pathan and Kamran Akmal could only guide Royals at 180/7. Leggie Piyush Chawla was the most successful bowlers for the hosts, picking up three crucial wickets at the middle of the innings, while James Hopes took two to complete a fine all-round performance.

Earlier, the Royals’ took the field minus three of their proven stars, Sohail Tanvir, Greame Smith and inspirational skipper Shane Warne, who were rested ahead of the semifinal against the Delhi Daredevils.

The weakened Royals’ bowling was flayed to all parts of the stadium as Aussie opening duo Shaun Marsh and James Hopes went on the attack.

Signalling his intentions early, Marsh unleashed a barrage of shots against the Royals’ bowling line-up, which for the first time showed their inexperience.

New ball bowlers Shane Watson and Munaf Patel were given the responsibility of ensuring that the Kings didn’t get off to a flyer but once they brutally manhandled by Marsh, who stroked the ball perfectly, the confidence of the others also dipped.

At the other end, Hopes took some time to settle in, but once he got his eye in even he showed utter disdain for the bowling scoring a brisk 51 (35 balls) which was laced with seven hits to the boundary and one over it.

The duo added 133 for the first-wicket, going at over 10 runs an over, before Hopes fell to off-spinner Yusuf Pathan. Yuvraj (49, 16 balls) and Marsh added 80 runs before Watson dismissed his countryman for a consolation wicket.

As he left the field a standing ovation awaited the Aussie.