Punjab Kings beat Gujarat Titans by three wickets. (Pic credit: IPL)
Cooper Connolly announced himself on the big stage with a composed, match-winning knock as Punjab Kings edged past Gujarat Titans by three wickets in a tense IPL 2026 clash in New Chandigarh on Tuesday.Chasing 163, Punjab looked in complete control early on, but a dramatic middle-order collapse nearly derailed their chase before Connolly’s maturity guided them home with five balls to spare.Connolly anchors nervy chasePunjab’s innings began in explosive fashion, with Prabhsimran Singh and Connolly stitching a brisk 76-run stand that put the hosts firmly on course. While Gujarat managed just three sixes in their entire innings, Punjab raced to four maximums within the first four overs.However, the game turned on its head when Prasidh Krishna, introduced late as an impact player by captain Shubman Gill, triggered a stunning collapse. The pacer picked up three wickets in 10 deliveries, reducing Punjab from a position of strength to a nervy finish after losing four wickets for just eight runs.“Such things happen in the IPL when you lose wickets back-to-back,” admitted Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer.Unfazed, Connolly held his nerve, building crucial partnerships with Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett.
The 22-year-old remained unbeaten on 72 off 44 balls, striking five fours and five sixes, including two off Rashid Khan.“To put that performance in tonight, very happy. I’m more of a tempo player,” Connolly said after being named Player of the Match.GT falter after steady startEarlier, Gujarat Titans posted 162/6 after being put in to bat. Gill led from the front with a fluent 39, while Jos Buttler added 38. The duo rebuilt after the early loss of Sai Sudharsan, who fell for 13.Despite a promising Powerplay, Gujarat struggled to accelerate in the middle overs. Veteran spinner
Yuzvendra Chahal
turned the tide by removing both Gill and Buttler, while Vijaykumar Vyshak impressed with clever variations through the middle overs.Punjab’s disciplined bowling ensured Gujarat managed only 34 runs in the final five overs, leaving them short of a competitive total.Focus shifts to Lucknow clashWith Day 4 delivering another thriller, attention now shifts to Day 5 of IPL 2026, where Lucknow Super Giants take on Delhi Capitals at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.After a gripping finish in New Chandigarh, fans will be hoping for more fireworks as the season gathers pace.
