IPL 2026 PBKS vs GT: Punjab Kings began their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign in style on Tuesday, as they clinched a nail-biting three-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans. The victory was attributed to a match-winning knock by debutant Cooper Connolly. Both the teams locked horns at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA stadium on Tuesday, where Connolly displayed remarkable composure under pressure, scoring an unbeaten 72 off 44 deliveries to steer PBKS to a successful chase of 163 with five balls to spare.
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Connolly after smashing a spectacular 72[/caption]
PBKS bowlers set the tone with disciplined display
Earlier, Punjab’s bowlers delivered a spectacular performance after skipper Shreyas Iyer opted to field first. Vijaykumar Vyshak (3/34) and Yuzvendra Chahal (2/28) anchored the charge, ably supported by Marco Jensen (1/20). Despite a steady start, Gujarat were restricted to 162/6. The team’s captain, Shubhman Gill managed to post just 39 runs, while Jos Butler (38), Glenn Phillips (25) and Washington Sundar (18) chipped in with useful contributions. IPL 2026 PBKS vs GT: Connolly anchors tense chase, crowned Man of the Match
Punjab Kings, while chasing 163, faced moments of pressure despite a steady start. However, Connolly held on to his nerves, pacing his innings brilliantly and ensuring the chase stayed on track. His unbeaten half-century proved decisive, as he guided PBKS home in 19.1 overs. His knock not only marked a memorable debut, but also underlined his ability to handle high-pressure situations.[caption id="attachment_2012" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Punjab Kings[/caption]
For Gujarat Titans, Prasidh Krishna (3/29) impressed with the ball, while Rashid Khan and Sundar picked up one wicket each. After the pulsating contest, Connolly was crowned the ‘Man of the Match.’ Skipper Shreyas said he wants to see Connolly perform the same in the upcoming matches. The victory has given Punjab Kings a strong start to their IPL 2026 campaign, with Connolly’s composed innings emerging as the highlight of the contest.Also read: IPL 2026: RR thrash Dhoni-less CSK as teen Vaibhav Sooryawanshi smashes 15-ball fifty