IPL 26 –Punjab Kings Edge Out Gujarat Titans in Mullanpur Thriller
(Match Report, !st April, Navneet Bansal, exclusive for Newsroom 7) MULLANPUR – In a high-octane encounter at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium, Home team, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) secured a dramatic 3-wicket victory over the Gujarat Titans (GT), chasing down a target of 163 with just five balls to spare. The night belonged to IPL debutant Cooper Connolly, whose composed half-century turned the tide in a game that swung like a pendulum until the very last over.
Punjab’s pursuit of 163 got off to a rocky start when opener Priyansh Arya fell early. While Shreyas Iyer injected some much-needed adrenaline with two towering sixes, GT’s pace spearhead Prasidh Krishna (3/29) threatened to derail the innings entirely. Krishna’s fiery spell removed Marcus Stoinis for a golden duck, leaving the Kings reeling. However, the 22-year-old Australian, Cooper Connolly, showed nerves of steel. In his first-ever IPL outing, Connolly anchored the innings with a spectacular 72 off 44 balls. His ability to find the gaps during the middle overs kept the required rate in check, even as wickets fell at the other end.As the game headed into the final stretch, the tension was palpable. Xavier Bartlett played a vital supporting role, clearing the ropes at a crucial juncture to bring the equation down. With 165 runs eventually on the board, it was Connolly who fittingly hit the winning boundary in the 20th over, sparking wild celebrations in the Punjab dugout.
Earlier in the evening, Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat, but the Titans found it difficult to break free against a disciplined PBKS bowling attack.
Shubman Gill looked elegant for his 39 off 27 balls, but he failed to convert his start into a big score.
Vijay kumar Vyshak was the standout performer for Punjab with the ball, finishing with figures of 3/34. His clever variations, including the prized scalp of Rashid Khan in the final over, restricted GT to a total of 162/6. Xavier Bartlett also contributed in the field with a stunning mid-air catch to dismiss the dangerous Jos Buttler, a moment that shifted the early momentum in Punjab’s favor.
This victory propels Punjab Kings into the top four, joining Rajasthan Royals, RCB, and Mumbai Indians with two points. For the Gujarat Titans, it’s a tough start to the 2026 campaign, as they leave Mullanpur with plenty of questions regarding their middle-order acceleration.
Brief Scores:
Gujarat Titans: 162/6 (Shubman Gill 39; Vijay kumar Vyshak 3/34, Yuzvendra Chahal 2/28 )
Punjab Kings: 165/7 in 19.1 overs (Cooper Connolly 72, Prabbsimrann 37; Prasidh Krishna 3/29)
Man of the Match: Cooper Connolly
Today another exciting Match is scheduled in Nawabo ka Shahar, Lucknow between Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals and that will end first round of matches in 19th season of IPL.
