A hat-trick to skipper Shane Watson was not enough to stop the Rajasthan Royals from suffering a 32-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.

Watson’s three-wicket haul – across two overs – was the second of the 2014 tournament, restricting the Sunrisers to 9-134 on Thursday night (Friday morning AEST).

But the Australian Test allrounder failed to continue his form with the bat, falling for just 11 to countryman Moises Henriques as his side tallied 102.

Fellow Australian Steve Smith top-scored for the Royals with 22 from 33 balls, until a lower-order onslaught from fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar signalled the end for Watson’s men.

Kumar claimed 4-14, including James Faulkner, with the Royals losing six wickets for 24 runs.

The defeat ended Rajasthan’s four-match winning streak and denied them a chance to jump to equal-first on the ladder.

They remain outright third after eight games, with the Sunrisers four points behind in fifth.