Yuvraj heroics not enough for Punjab

Punjab skipper Yuvraj Singh reacts with delight after completing a hat-trick with the dismissal of Bangalore wicketkeeper-batsman Mark Boucher

A fine all-round effort from the Kings XI Punjab captain Yuvraj Singh was in vain as the Bangalore Royal Challengers sealed an eight-run Indian Premier League win.

Yuvraj claimed a hat-trick as Bangalore were restricted to 145 for nine, Yusuf Abdulla also impressing with four wickets.

He then smashed 50 from 34 balls to open the Punjab innings but received no support as the Bangalore bowlers kept their discipline.

Bangalore started badly with Jesse Ryder (two) guiding the ball to Mahela Jayawardene at slip in the first over, bowled by Irfan Pathan.

Rajesh Bishnoi pulled Vikramjeet Malik tantalisingly short of Tanmay Srivastava at mid-on, before claiming a welcome but streaky boundary.

He then smashed a huge six off an otherwise immaculate Pathan over, and another off Malik.

But as Bangalore were threatening to get away, South African Abdulla produced a wicket maiden, claiming the wicket of Bishnoi to put the brakes on at 27 for two.

Shreevats Goswami’s (ten) top edge gave Abdulla his second, again to a catch from Piyush Chawla.

Bangalore were 62 for three at the halfway stage but the so-called strategy break did little for them as Yuvraj removed Robin Uthappa (19) and Jacques Kallis (27 from 22) in successive balls.

Uthappa found Katich in the outfield and Kallis saw his off bail removed from the last ball of the over.

And with the first delivery of his next, Yuvraj trapped Mark Boucher leg before wicket to claim his hat-trick, before setting off an a celebratory sprint.

Roelof van der Merwe winds up for a big hit during his explosive knock of 35 today

Roelof van der Merwe (35 from 19) then chanced his arm, claiming a maximum off Chawla, before plundering 16 runs in three Abdulla deliveries.

Abdulla got immediate revenge on his compatriot though as he holed out Pathan, who then claimed his second wicket in Virat Kohli (16).

Abdulla also bowled Anil Kumble for one and was denied a five-wicket haul when Chawla dropped Praveen Kumar off the final ball, leaving Bangalore 145 for nine.

With a relatively small total to chase, Karan Goel and Yuvraj set off at a steady pace - although the skipper produced moments of aggression.

In successive overs he smashed sixes off van der Merwe, Kumble and Ryder to take his total past 50.

He then heaved Kumble for another maximum to reach his second IPL fifty, before finding Kallis next ball as he attempted a similar stroke.

Van der Merwe then accounted for Goel (20 off 29) as he failed to clear long-on.

Sri Lanka duo Kumar Sangakkara and Jayawardene came together with the score on 84 when Simon Katich was run out and the pair set about rebuilding.

When Jayawardene sliced van der Merwe to Kallis, Punjab needed 30 from 18 balls with six wickets remaining.

Kumble conceded just four off the penultimate over - as well as removing Sangakkara (17) - leaving Punjab needing 13 to win.

And Kumar removed Pathan (12) and Chawla (three) in successive balls to complete the win.