Punjab Kings (PBKS) got their IPL 2026 season off to a flying start with a tense 3-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on March 31.
GT, after winning the toss and electing to bat, posted 162 for 7 in 20 overs. Skipper Shubman Gill looked in ominous touch before falling to a sharp catch by debutant Cooper Connolly off Yuzvendra Chahal.
Rashid Khan and Sai Sudharsan provided some stability in the middle order, but the Titans never quite found top gear against a disciplined PBKS attack led by Arshdeep Singh and Kagiso Rabada. Chasing 163, PBKS lost early wickets but found their hero in 22-year-old Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly.
Batting at No. 3 on debut, the left-hander
played a match-winning knock of 72 not out off just 44 balls, smashing five fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 163.63. Coming in after Prabhsimran Singh's dismissal, Connolly mixed aggression with composure, taking the game away from GT in the middle overs. The chase was sealed with five balls to spare as PBKS reached the target with three wickets in hand.
Connolly's innings not only earned him Player of the Match but also justified PBKS's ₹3 crore investment at the 2025 auction. The win sets a positive tone for Punjab, who will now look to build momentum in their campaign. GT, meanwhile, will rue missed opportunities with the ball in the death overs.
PBKS vs GT Awards List: Full List of Award Winners of Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans
Check out the full list of award winenrs from the Match 4 between Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans.
Super Striker of the Match: Cooper Connolly (PBKS) - SR: 163.64
Super Sixes of the Match: Cooper Connolly (PBKS) - 5 Sixes
Most Fours of the Match: Shubman Gill (GT) - 6 Fours
TATA IPL Green Dot Ball: Prasidh Krishna (GT) - 11 dot balls
Player of the Match: Cooper Connolly (PBKS)
PBKS vs GT Match Scorecard
Gujarat Titans (GT): 162/6 in 20.0 overs; Shubman Gill 39 (27), Jos Buttler 38 (33); Vijaykumar Vyshak 3/34, Yuzvendra Chahal 2/28.
Punjab Kings (PBKS): 165/7 in 19.1 overs; Cooper Connolly 72* (44), Prabhsimran Singh 37 (24); Prasidh Krishna 3/29, Washington Sundar 1/27.
Result: Punjab Kings won by 3 wickets.
