Share

Punjab claim first win

Durban - Ravi Bopara scored 84 as Kings XI Punjab defeated Bangalore Royal Challengers by seven wickets on 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.

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, losers of two rain-affected games since the IPL extravaganza began last weekend, had 52 runs on the board before losing their first wicket and reached 80-1 by the 10-over 'strategy break'.

Pietersen deployed seven bowlers, including himself, Jacques Kallis and Indian Anil Kumble, but they could not stem the Punjab run flow before a large crowd in the Indian Ocean city.

Kings scored 19 runs off the 16th over to swing the game decisively in their favour and when Royals finally got rid of Bopara, caught by New Zealander Jesse Ryder off the bowling of Kallis, it was far too late.

Only veteran Kumble (1-19) impressed with the ball for a Bangalore team suffering their third loss in four outings as one-wicket Kallis conceded 51 runs in four overs.

Kallis fared much better with the bat, top scoring for Royals with a 62 that included two sixes and five fours, New Zealander Ross Taylor contributed 35 and compatriot Ryder got among the runs with a brisk 32 after two ducks.

Little known South African Yusuf Abdulla (4-31) and Irfan Pathan (3-35) took the bowling honours for Punjab, who were watched by co-owner and Bollywood star Preity Zinta.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2243 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE