Punjab Kings kicked off their IPL 2026 campaign in style, securing a tense three wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in New Chandigarh. The match had its twists and turns, but it was debutant Cooper Connolly who emerged as the unlikely hero, guiding Punjab to the target with composure beyond his experience.
Batting first, Gujarat Titans struggled to build momentum and were restricted to 162 for 6. While the total appeared competitive, it fell short of expectations on a decent batting surface. Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, and Glenn Phillips were the only batters to make meaningful contributions, but none managed to convert their starts into a match defining innings. Punjab’s bowling unit kept things tight throughout, with Vijaykumar Vyshak leading the charge with three crucial wickets, supported well by Yuzvendra Chahal, who picked up two.
In response, Punjab Kings began their chase with intent but suffered an early setback. However, Prabhsimran Singh and Cooper Connolly stitched together a steady partnership that brought stability and kept the scoreboard ticking. Just when Punjab looked to be cruising, Prasidh Krishna turned the game on its head with a quick burst of wickets, removing key batters in the middle overs and injecting fresh hope into the Gujarat camp.
With the pressure mounting and wickets falling at regular intervals, the chase was far from straightforward. Yet, Connolly remained unfazed. Displaying remarkable calmness and maturity, he anchored the innings and ensured Punjab stayed on course. His composed finish, with five balls to spare, sealed a memorable win for Punjab Kings.
It was a statement victory to open their season one that highlighted both their bowling depth and the emergence of a promising new match-winner.
