IPL 2026: Connolly’s Unbeaten 72 Powers PBKS to Win Over GT

New Chandigarh (IANS): Debutant Cooper Connolly smashed an unbeaten maiden half-century to guide Punjab Kings to a thrilling three-wicket win over Gujarat Titans on Tuesday. Punjab chased down 163 in 19.1 overs at the PCA’s New International Cricket Stadium, overcoming a late-inning surge from the Titans’ bowlers.

Punjab faced an early hitch when Kagiso Rabada dismissed impact player Priyansh Arya (7) in the second over. However, opener Prabhsimran Singh ignited the chase by hitting Rabada for consecutive sixes in the fourth over. Connolly joined the fray, clearing the ropes twice as Punjab reached 55/1 by the end of the Powerplay. The pair added 76 runs for the second wicket, shifting the momentum firmly toward the hosts.

Rashid Khan eventually broke the stand in the 10th over, removing Prabhsimran for a brisk 37. Captain Shreyas Iyer maintained the pace with two sixes before falling to Prasidh Krishna in the 13th over.

The Gujarat Titans clawed back into the contest by taking quick wickets. Prasidh Krishna and Washington Sundar dismantled the middle order, removing Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, and Marcus Stoinis in rapid succession.

Despite the collapse at the other end, Connolly held his nerve. He reached his maiden IPL fifty in just 34 balls and finished with a masterful 72* off 44 deliveries, including five fours and five sixes. Alongside Xavier Bartlett (11*), Connolly steered Punjab across the finish line with five balls to spare.

Prasidh Krishna led the Titans’ bowling attack with figures of 3-29, while Rabada, Ashok Sharma, Rashid Khan, and Sundar claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, Punjab Kings’ bowlers restricted Gujarat Titans to 162/6. Fast bowler Vijaykumar Vyshak spearheaded the attack with three wickets, while Yuzvendra Chahal chipped in with two.

Gujarat started strongly after Punjab asked them to bat first. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan raced to 35/0 in three overs before Marco Jansen removed Sudharsan (13). Gill and Jos Buttler then anchored the innings, guiding the Titans to 54/1 at the end of the Powerplay.

The Punjab spinners eventually slowed the scoring rate. Chahal dismissed Gill (39) in the 10th over, and although Glenn Phillips contributed a quick 25, Vyshak soon sent him back to the pavilion. Chahal struck again in the 16th over, dismissing Buttler for 38. Washington Sundar added a late 18, but Punjab’s disciplined death bowling kept the target manageable.

Brief scores: Gujarat Titans 162/6 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 39, Jos Buttler 38; Vijaykumar Vyshak 3-34, Yuzvendra Chahal 2-28) lost to Punjab Kings 165/7 in 19.1 overs (Cooper Connolly 72*, Prabhsimran Singh 37; Prasidh Krishna 3-29, Washington Sundar 1-27) by 3 wickets.