The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has formally ignited. In a pulsating encounter on the Mullanpur Stadium in New Chandigarh, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) secured an exhilarating three-wicket victory over the Gujarat Titans (GT) on Tuesday. In what was solely the fourth match of the season, followers have been handled to a all the way down to the wire traditional that noticed momentum swing like a pendulum earlier than 21-year-old Australian sensation Cooper Connolly introduced his arrival on the world stage with a match-winning masterclass.
GT posts a formidable complete in opposition to decided PBKS bowling
Successful the toss and opting to bowl underneath the lights of New Chandigarh, Shreyas Iyer’s Punjab Kings showcased a masterclass in defensive bowling in the course of the center overs. The Gujarat Titans’ innings was a story of promising begins that did not explode into a large complete. Shubman Gill appeared in beautiful contact, anchoring the highest order with a cultured 39 off 27 balls, laced with 4-fours and a six. Alongside him, the ever-dangerous Jos Buttler performed a measured knock of 38 off 33 balls.
Nonetheless, the PBKS spin duo turned the tide. Yuzvendra Chahal was the architect of the squeeze, eradicating each Gill and Buttler to complete with figures of two/28. Because the Titans appeared to speed up, Vijaykumar Vyshak emerged because the unlikely hero on the dying. Vyshak’s triple strike, eradicating Glenn Phillips (25), Washington Sundar (18), and Shahrukh Khan (4) derailed the GT end. Regardless of a late cameo from Rahul Tewatia, GT reached 162/6 of their 20 overs. It was a aggressive rating, however on a pristine New Chandigarh floor, the Kings knew they’d a struggle on their arms.
Cooper Connolly powers PBKS to a dramatic win over GT in IPL 2026
The chase started with a stutter as Priyansh Arya fell early to Kagiso Rabada, however the stadium quickly erupted as Cooper Connolly took heart stage. Promoted up the order, Connolly performed an innings of maturity far past his years. Whereas wickets tumbled round him—together with a middle-order collapse triggered by Prasidh Krishna (3/29) that noticed Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh fall for geese however Connolly remained the calm eye of the storm.
PBKS discovered themselves in a precarious place at 118/6, nonetheless needing 45 runs with the tail uncovered. Connolly, nevertheless, shifted gears effortlessly. He reached his half-century off simply 34 balls, punishing something quick and utilizing his toes fantastically in opposition to the spin of Rashid Khan. His unbeaten 72 off 44 balls, that includes 9 fours and 5 large sixes, saved the asking fee underneath management.
The drama peaked within the closing overs. With Marco Jansen falling for 9, the stress was on Connolly and Xavier Bartlett. Needing 13 off the ultimate two overs, Connolly confirmed ice-cold composure. He dismantled the GT assault with surgical precision, guiding PBKS to 165/7 with 5 balls to spare. The victory was sealed within the twentieth over, sending the house crowd right into a frenzy and marking PBKS’s first assertion win of the 2026 marketing campaign.
Additionally WATCH: Xavier Bartlett plucks a screamer to take away regular Jos Buttler in PBKS vs GT sport
Right here’s how followers reacted:
22-year-old Australian has performed a unbelievable knock to take his staff dwelling 👏🔥#cricket #PBKSvsGT #ipl2026 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/1BZNeS7UbC
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 31, 2026
34 BALL FIFTY BY COOPER CONNOLLY.
A splendid innings by the debutant! pic.twitter.com/1AWDgfeL3x
— PHENOMENAL_1 (@RajSadde2) March 31, 2026
#PBKSvGT One in solely Cooper Connolly ✅
Cooper Connolly Punjab Kings का अंगद बन गया.#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/ISaa65o6gd— Shubham Rajput (@rajputshubham59) March 31, 2026
🚨AUSTRALIAN PLAYERS TO SCORE FIFTY ON IPL DEBUT🚨
Michael Hussey – CSK
Shaun Marsh – PBKS
James Hopes – PBKS
David Warner – DC
Jake Fraser – McGurk – DC
Cooper Connolly – PBKS ….. See extra pic.twitter.com/rPkmCV756I— Akash (@klrvikash) March 31, 2026
Effectively Performed Cooper Connolly 👏#PBKS #CSK https://t.co/Pq5Ipx7QHh pic.twitter.com/CJaQkx3CwE
— PLV Arun (@Arunstunner) March 31, 2026
The sport was gone, however Cooper Connolly pulled it again ,what an unbelievable batting efficiency from the 22-year-old younger expertise.
Nice begin by Punjab Kings as they registered a win in opposition to Gujarat Titans of their first match ❤️🔥pic.twitter.com/ytpuUtZcMe
— Eshwar (@ej_memezz__) March 31, 2026
Normally BIG-Bash performers don’t carry out properly in IPL…. However I believe We acquired our Famous person for this season in COOPER Connolly…. pic.twitter.com/NU9Tho0uA6
— Jagseer Singh Sandhu (@sandhujagseer07) March 31, 2026
Cooper Connolly giving KXIP Shaun Marsh vibes. Fortunate if he maintains this consistency.
— Vayu (@GEAR_UPv18) March 31, 2026
Cooper Connolly smashing it out of the park as soon as once more.
PBKS nailed the decide ☠️
That’s nonetheless true 🤷
pic.twitter.com/sBbYk5WrfX https://t.co/EooIb2HqGp
— Kashif (@KashifNdmCric) March 31, 2026
FIFTY FOR COOPER CONNOLLY ON HIS IPL DEBUT FROM JUST 34 BALLS!!🔥 pic.twitter.com/ofaQi3hWET
— Fatima (@Fatima7223) March 31, 2026
Steve smith’s fan boy cooper connolly reviving outdated IPL vibes 😭🔥🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/EvOnzrt47C
— Akbar Tennyson (@akbertweets) March 31, 2026
Additionally READ: Right here’s why PBKS’ Cooper Connolly received’t bowl in opposition to Gujarat Titans in at this time’s match
