Punjab Kings Edge Gujarat Titans in Tense IPL Encounter

Punjab thrilling IPL win over Gujarat

Cooper Connolly's unbeaten 72 guides Punjab Kings to 3-wicket win in IPL. Punjab chase down 163 with Connolly's heroics, defeating Gujarat Titans.

Punjab's thrilling IPL win over Gujarat, Connolly stars on debut...

Cooper Connolly stole the show on debut. The Aussie kept his cool as Punjab Kings chased down Gujarat Titans' 162-6, securing a tense three-wicket win. Punjab's bowlers, led by Vijaykumar Vyshak, set up the chase with a solid performance, restricting Gujarat to a manageable total.

Punjab looked set for an easy win initially. Openers Prabhsimran Singh and Connolly dominated the bowling, adding 76 for the second wicket in just 49 deliveries.

Gujarat's batters had struggled to hit boundaries, managing only three sixes in their entire innings. In contrast, Punjab smashed four sixes in the first four overs, mounting a blistering assault.

Prasidh Krishna's late introduction changed the game. Brought on in the 13th over by Shubman Gill, he took three wickets in 10 deliveries, sparking a Punjab collapse that saw them lose four for eight in 16 balls.

Cooper Connolly showed remarkable maturity for a 22-year-old, keeping his composure and forming crucial partnerships with Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett. This helped Punjab stay in the game and set up a tense finish.

Connolly capped off an unforgettable debut, finishing unbeaten on 72 off 44 deliveries, hitting five fours and five sixes. He brought up victory with five balls to spare, guiding Punjab to 165-7.

𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬! 🏹👀 pic.twitter.com/HwLx0N6lq9

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 31, 2026

Gujarat had started strongly, with Shubman Gill striking three fours in the second over off Xavier Bartlett, setting the tone for a lively innings.

Gill and Sai Sudharsan's opening partnership added 37, but Marco Jansen broke the stand, having Sudharsan caught on the pull for 13.

Gujarat scored at nine an over in the Powerplay, but the pace slowed as the ball got older and softer, with the scoring rate dipping noticeably.

Yuzvendra Chahal was instrumental, taking key wickets including Shubman Gill (39) and Jos Buttler (38) with his clever leg-spin. The veteran spinner's well-tossed delivery had Gill caught at deep mid-wicket, setting the tone for Punjab's bowling attack.

A memorable start for the young Australian in the @PunjabKingsIPL colors 😍

Cooper Connolly is adjudged the Player of the Match on his #TATAIPL debut 🌟

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/75rCxTCOL1#KhelBindaas | #PBKSvGT pic.twitter.com/5JmVoTz6DW

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 31, 2026

Gill and Buttler's 46-run partnership had given Gujarat a boost, but Punjab's bowlers kept them contained. Glenn Phillips attempted to inject urgency, but Gujarat struggled to impose themselves.

Vijaykumar Vyshak was superb, using the slower ball to great effect and cutting through Gujarat's middle order. Marco Jansen was also impressive, conceding just 20 in his four overs and keeping Punjab in the game.

Gujarat's late surge fell short, adding only 34 in the last five overs, including an 11-ball final over from Arshdeep Singh. It wasn't enough to stop Connolly's heroics, who steered Punjab to a thrilling win.