But the Hesson-coached Kings XI Punjab's 14-run victory against the Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur yesterday was overshadowed by controversy.
Spinner Ravi Ashwin claimed the crucial wicket of England batsman Joss Buttler when he ran him out at the non-striker's end with a dismissal known as a Mankad.
Buttler was on 68 and looking threatening. His side was well-placed at 108 for one chasing a victory target of 185.
But Buttler was backing up a little too far and Ashwin ran him out.
The bowler appeared to slow down and wait for Buttler to move outside of his crease before tipping the bails off which suggests it was a premeditated plan.
Buttler's wicket triggered a collapse and the Royals lost their way, slumping to 170 for nine.
Former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum was not impressed with the decision.
''The question I pose is he deliberately doing it? Deliberately trying to get a jump on the runner between the wickets,'' McCullum said in the commentary.
''It's touch and go there ... I'm not a fan.''
Shane Warne also weighed in on social media with a post many will find rather amusing coming from a man who played the
game so hard.
''This win at all costs mentality has got to stop & the integrity of the game along with the spirit of the game must be of the most importance, as we need to set examples to the young boys & girls playing cricket!,'' he wrote.
Ashwin defended his position in the post-match press conference.
''Look, it was very instinctive on my part,'' he said.
''It was not planned or anything like that. It is there in the rules of the game. I don't know where the understanding or spirit of the game comes [into it] because, quite naturally, if it is in the rules then it is there.
He later added ''I can't push the front line, why should a batsmen gain yards'' in a post on social media.
