Mullanpur witnessed a masterclass as Punjab Kings snatched a thrilling 3-wicket victory against Gujarat Titans! Debutant sensation Cooper Connolly stole the show, smashing an unbeaten 72 off 44 balls—the 5th highest debut score in IPL history. Earlier, Vijaykumar Vyshak’s clinical 3/34 derailed the Titans' middle order, restricting them to 162. A high-octane home start that proves PBKS is the team to watch.
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in Mullanpur witnessed a historic night as the Punjab Kings (PBKS) kicked off their IPL 2026 campaign with a spectacular 3-wicket win over the Gujarat Titans (GT). In a match that swung like a pendulum until the very last over, two names emerged as the architects of Punjab's success: debutant sensation Cooper Connolly and pace spearhead Vijaykumar Vyshak.
Chasing a target of 163, the Punjab Kings found themselves in a spot of bother after losing quick wickets in the middle overs. Enter Cooper Connolly. Playing his first-ever IPL match, the young Australian displayed nerves of steel and a range of shots that left the Gujarat bowlers stunned.
Connolly hammered an unbeaten 72 off just 44 balls, laced with 5 towering sixes and 5 boundaries. His strike rate of 163.64 kept the scoreboard ticking even under immense pressure. By the time he hit the winning runs with 5 balls to spare, he had etched his name in the record books with the 5th highest debut score in IPL history.
Earlier in the evening, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl—a decision that Vijaykumar Vyshak immediately vindicated. The right-arm pacer was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with clinical figures of 3/34.
Vyshak's ability to mix his lengths and use the extra bounce at Mullanpur effectively dismantled the GT middle order. He claimed the crucial wickets of Shubman Gill (39) and Jos Buttler (38) just as they were looking to accelerate, restricting Gujarat to a manageable 162/6. Supporting him at the other end was Yuzvendra Chahal, who chipped in with two vital wickets, ensuring the Titans never reached the 180-run mark they were targeting.
Despite the small target, the chase was anything but easy. Prasidh Krishna (3/29) kept Gujarat in the hunt with a fiery spell, but Connolly found an able partner in Prabhsimran Singh, who contributed a quickfire 37. The duo navigated the death overs against the world-class Rashid Khan, ensuring the home fans went home happy.
"To do this on debut at our home ground is a dream come true," said Player of the Match Cooper Connolly. "The plan was simple: take it deep and trust my instincts."
With this win, Punjab Kings have sent a clear message to the rest of the league. Their blend of youthful exuberance and tactical bowling makes them a team to watch this season. They now travel to Chennai to face the Super Kings on April 3, where they will look to carry this winning momentum forward.
Match Summary:
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