MOHALI: Kings XI Punjab self-destructed, losing eight wickets for 45 runs, to hand out an unlikely 31-run victory to a resilient Rajasthan Royals in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Punjab Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday.

Looking good to chase down the target of 184, the host slipped from a promising 107-2 in the 11th over to lose eight wickets for the addition of just 45 runs, as Shane Warne marshalled his forces well. Skipper Kumar Sangakkara, looking to justify his decision to field, walked out to open in the company of the in-form Ravi Bopara and gave Kings XI a flying start.

The first six overs, including the sixth bowled by Shane Warne, produced 76 runs for the wicket of Sangakkara. Thereafter, some mindless batting spelt doom for the host.

Warne lured Bisla to his doom at midwicket and Yuvraj Singh, dropped by Michael Lumb on 15 off Trivedi, pressed his luck too hard and fell in the same over after offering Faiz Fazal his second catch.

Bopara failed to read a slower one from Munaf

and offered a catch to mid-on and two deliveries

later, Irfan Pathan was run out after some smart work by Abhishek Jhunjhunwala. Piyush Chawla was taken

at short-third man and

left Mahela Jayawardene with the tail that did not promise to wag.

Earlier, Rajasthan Royals posted a challenging 183-5 with man-of the-match Adam Voges providing the much-needed thrust in the closing overs.

After a swift start provided by South African Lumb and Naman Ojha, Fazal anchored one end while Yusuf Pathan and Voges took turns to keep the run-rate over eight an over.

Dropped by younger brother Irfan when on seven, Yusuf failed to make the most of the reprieve.Voges, who arrived at the exit of Yusuf, counter-attacked to add 60 off 37 deliveries for the fifth wicket even as Fazal was happy to play second fiddle.