April 01, 2026: Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly played a remarkable debut innings, scoring an unbeaten 72 to lead Punjab Kings (PBKS) to a thrilling 3-wicket win over the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Mullanpur. Chasing a target of 163, PBKS faced a tricky situation after Prasidh Krishna triggered a middle-overs collapse. Despite the pressure, Connolly remained composed and guided his team to victory in the final over, securing two crucial points in front of the home crowd.

PBKS won the toss and elected to field first at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium. Gujarat Titans’ top order began steadily, with Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill getting starts, allowing the team to build a platform in the powerplay.

A strong and disciplined bowling performance from PBKS restricted GT to 162/6. Vijaykumar Vyshak led the attack with 3 wickets for 34 runs, while Yuzvendra Chahal contributed 2/28 with tidy spin. Tall left-arm pacer Marco Jansen kept the runs in check, finishing with 1/20. For GT, Shubman Gill (39), Jos Buttler (38), Glenn Phillips (25), and Washington Sundar (18) scored the majority of the runs, but the PBKS bowlers’ consistency ensured that the total remained under control.

Bas Jeet gaye! 😁 pic.twitter.com/yQ2ApcZRv9

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 31, 2026

Connolly Holds the Innings Together in a Tense Chase

PBKS started their chase under pressure after losing Priyansh Arya early. However, a 76-run partnership between Prabhsimran Singh and Connolly stabilized the innings and shifted momentum in favor of Punjab. Connolly played with a perfect blend of caution and aggression, scoring regular boundaries and rotating strike efficiently to keep the required run rate manageable.

The chase, which seemed straightforward at the halfway stage, became tense when PBKS suffered another collapse. Prasidh Krishna struck three times, and the team slipped from 102/2 to 118/6, creating a critical moment in the match. Connolly remained composed throughout the collapse, striking intelligently and ensuring the team stayed in contention. He reached his half-century off 35 balls and finished unbeaten on 72 from 44 deliveries, leading PBKS to a memorable win with three wickets in hand.

The debutant seals it in style! 💪@PunjabKingsIPL clinch a thriller in New Chandigarh to get their campaign going with a win ❤️

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/75rCxTCOL1#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #PBKSvGT pic.twitter.com/WqBQNjuvA1

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 31, 2026

PBKS bowlers had built a strong foundation for the chase. The pacers and spinners bowled with accuracy and discipline. Vyshak, Chahal, and Jansen all contributed key overs, maintaining pressure on the GT batsmen. In the final over, Arshdeep Singh ensured GT finished at 162, keeping the total within reach for a calculated chase.

Connolly’s debut innings stood out not only for its power-hitting but also for his calmness under pressure. His ability to play both spin and pace effectively, along with smart shot selection and controlled aggression, made him the decisive factor in PBKS’ first win of IPL 2026. The innings was a combination of timing, strength, and composure, proving that Connolly can be a reliable match-winner for Punjab Kings.

Brief Scores:

Gujarat Titans: 162 for 6 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 39; Vijaykumar Vyshak 3/34, Yuzvendra Chahal 2/28).

Punjab Kings: 165 for 7 in 19.1 overs (Cooper Connolly 72; Prasidh Krishna 3/29).