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Shaun Marsh (32), Dinesh Karthik (30) and opener Paul Valthaty (23) got starts but could not convert them into big knocks, after electing to bat at PCA stadium.
Punjab kept losing wickets and never had a partnership going. The 30-run stand between Karthik and Marsh was the best and credit goes to some disciplined bowling by Pune bowlers.
Leg-spinner Rahul Sharma yet again returned exceptional figures as he gave away just 17 runs in his four overs and provided Warriors a good start by dismissing both the openers -- Adam Gilchrist (3) and Valthaty.
Paceman Wayne Parnell (2/12) also did extremely well as he was the most economical bowler, conceding just 12 runs in his quota od four and also struck two blows to the rivals.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/14) and Mitchell Marsh (2/12) all took two wickets apiece.
Valthaty tried to play sensibly today as he did not go blindly for his shots and waited for the punishable balls. His first four boundaries, three coming in Shrikanth Wagh`s first over, were all powerful yet elegant cover drives.
But Valthaty`s opening partner and skipper Adam Gilchrist (3) came a cropper yet again as in-form leg-spinner Rahul Sharma had him caught at deep mid-wicket.
Vlathty`s self-imposed discipline and some fine bowling by Wayne Parnell and Rahul meant that the hosts managed just 34 runs in the first power-play.
Shaun Marsh, who has been Punjab`s main scorer, launched rival skipper Yuvraj for a long-on six but Rahul scalped the danger-man Valthaty, whose attempted cut resulted in an edge and landed in the hands of Bhuneshwar Kumar at backward point.
Marsh (32) and Dinesh Karthik (30) kept ticking the scoreboard with ones and twos and also found a boundary or two in between, taking the team to 71 for two at half-way mark.
The Australian left-hander though could not anchor the innings as he was bowled by Bhuvneshwar, bringing his compatriot David Hussey to the crease.
But Hussey too became a victim of the same bowler in his next over and Punjab`s innings was in shambles.
Punjab`s problems only compounded as Mitchell Marsh, younger brother of Shaun, dismissed Karthik and Ryan Harris (4) while Parnell accounted for Mandeep Singh (6).
