Ricky Ponting's Punjab Kings, full of Australian flavour, have made it to the play-offs of the resumed Indian Premier League -- and they've helped the Josh Hazlewood-fuelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru get there too.

Coach Ponting, already hugely respected throughout India, earned even more admiration after he decided to stay in the country when the league was suspended amid the turmoil of the conflict with Pakistan and he also persuaded players to return after the resumption.

The 50-year-old former Australian captain got his reward on Sunday when, in the first match to be competed following the week-long suspension of the league, Punjab beat Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs to secure their place in the top four.

And they achieved their key win in Jaipur without much of a contribution from their Australian contingent, as big-hitting Mitchell Owen lasted just two balls and departed for a duck on his IPL debut while allrounder Xavier Bartlett bowled one over and was hit for a dozen.

But the two Aussies did excel in the field, taking two catches apiece to help dismiss the Royals for 7-209 in response to Punjab's substantial 5-219, which was forged largely from Nehal Wadhera's boisterous 70 off 37 balls and Shashank Singh's unbeaten 59 off 30, with the pair clubbing eight sixes between them.

The victory was followed later in Delhi by Gujarat Titans' thumping 10-wicket win over Delhi Capitals, featuring a remarkable unbeaten match-winning, double-century stand - the third-highest opening partnership in IPL history - between Sai Sudharsan (108no off 61 balls) and captain Shubman Gill (92no off 53).

Reaching 0-205 in 19 overs, they made Delhi's 3-199, featuring an unbeaten 112 from KL Rahul, seem like a cakewalk as the win put the Titans top of the table and also ensured that both RCB, in second place, and Ponting's third-placed Kings booked their place amid the final-four for the knockout stages.

Delhi's attack clearly missed their top wicket-taker Mitchell Starc, who was one of those who decided not to return to the league following the suspension and will now concentrate on getting ready for Australia's defence of their World Test Championship mace at Lord's against South Africa next month.

Punjab's progression, though, is another IPL success for Ponting. He's got them into the play-offs in his first season there, following the success he had when leading Mumbai Indians to the title in 2015 and then steering Delhi Capitals to their first-ever final in 2018.

He's surrounded himself with plenty of Australian excellence there, helped by Brad Haddin as batting coach, Jame Hopes as bowlling coach and having utilised six players this term - Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Bartlett and Owen.

Bengaluru, with their place secured, will now hope Hazlewood, who's been recuperating from a shoulder niggle, will be fit to return.

The 35-year-old quick, who's been one of the league's outstanding bowlers this season, has been reported to be ready to return by the end of May for the play-offs, with the final set for June 3.

Should RCB reach the final, that would give Hazlewood another week to get ready for the Test showdown.