Ravi Bopara scored 84 as Kings XI Punjab defeated Bangalore Royal Challengers by seven wickets Friday to claim their first Indian Premier League victory this season. Former England captain Kevin Pietersen was out for a duck as Bangalore made 168-9 in their 20 overs at Kingsmead and Punjab reached 173-3 with an over to spare in perfect conditions.
Despite failing to score for the second match in succession, Pietersen remained optimistic about Bangalore's chances. England right-hander Bopara struck five sixes and four fours during a 59-ball spell at the crease and skipper Yuvraj Singh (30 not out) and Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara (26) offered good support. Punjab had 52 runs on the board before losing their first wicket and reached 80-1 by the 10-over 'strategy break'.