Kevin Pietersen hailed England teammate Ravi Bopara as a superstar for his man-of the-match performance in the Kings XI Punjab's victory over the Bangalore Royal Challengers in the IPL.

Having set a mediocre target of 168, Pietersen's Challengers were helpless as Bopara smashed 84 to take the Punjab to a seven-wicket triumph in Durban.

It was Bangalore's third consecutive defeat in the IPL this year, but Pietersen refused to blame the players that had been chosen for the match and preferred to highlight the role of Bopara.

"I'm really happy (with the selection), we made a team selection yesterday and that was the best side that was going to win this fixture" said Pietersen.

"Unfortunately we just missed out tonight because my little teammate Bopara played like a superstar."

Bopara, who hit five sixes and four fours, formed a patient partnership with Karan Goel before exploding into life alongside his captain Yuvraj Singh and explained that the team's batting tactics had worked perfectly.

"We needed to knock it around in middle because (Anil) Kumble's bowled really well in the series and we didn't want to lose a wicket to him" Bopara said.

"So we waited as late as possible and just went for the boom at the end.

"I knew the wicket was skidding along quite nicely and obviously with the short boundary we were always in with a shout. You've got Yuvey (Yuvraj) at the other end and he's always capable. You just have to back yourself.

"Everybody around me was smashing it and I was playing the singles game.

"But I said my turn's going to come - when there's nobody else about I'm going to get my turn to smack it everywhere."

Yuvraj, who hit a six to secure victory an over early, said Bopara had made the difference on the day.

"Ravi was outstanding, he kept the momentum going and scored when we needed" he said.

Pietersen had a contrasting day at the crease, bowled out for a duck for the second time in four IPL innings, but the former England captain remained optimistic about Bangalore's chances despite their winless run.

"It's a long competition, if you win the next nine games then you're okay" he said.

"We just need to get winning, it's a habit and as soon as you start winning everything starts to become okay.

"It's not nice losing but we've got to try and turn it around now come Sunday."

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