Regal Ravi inspires Kings XI |

Regal Ravi inspires Kings XI |

England batsman slams 84 to help his side secure first win

Indian Premier League
Durban
Bangalore Royal Challengers 168-9 (J H Kallis 62, Y A Abdulla 4-31) v Kings XI Punjab 173-3 (R S Bopara 84)
Kings XI Punjab beat Bangalore Royal Challengers by 7 wkts

Ravi Bopara overshadowed England team-mate Kevin Pietersen as Kings XI Punjab triumphed by seven wickets against the Bangalore Royal Challengers.

The Essex batsman hit 84 to help his side break their duck in the 2009 Indian Premier League season at the third time of asking.

His 59-ball innings, which contained four fours and five sixes, helped the Kings XI surpass their opponents' total of 168-9 with an over to spare.

Bopara shared an opening stand of 52 with Karan Goel (19) while Kumar Sangakkara chipped in with 26 from number three in the order.

Skipper Yuvraj Singh saw his side home in style, smashing Jacques Kallis for a six as he finished unbeaten on 30 from just 17 deliveries.
Impressive Kumble

Pietersen did his best to try and prevent his side slipping to a third straight defeat, using seven different bowlers. Anil Kumble was the most successful, picking up 1-19 off his four overs.

The Challengers skipper sent down two overs himself at a cost of 16 runs having earlier been dismissed for a second-ball duck.

Left-arm seamer Yusuf Abdulla removed the former England captain straight after bowling New Zealand opener Jesse Ryder for 32.

Abdulla also removed compatriot Jacques Kallis for 62 on his way to figures of 4-31. Fellow paceman Irfan Pathan claimed 3-35.

Kallis had smashed five boundaries and two sixes, sharing a 61-run stand with Ross Taylor, who contributed 35 off 22 balls.

http://www.skysports.com/cricket/match_report/0,19822,11066_16036,00.html