Cooper Connolly’s debut fifty helped Punjab Kings start its 2026 campaign on a winning note as it defeated Gujarat Titans by three wickets in a close contest at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in Mullanpur on March 31.
It looked like a straightforward win for the host for the majority of the game but Prasidh Krishna’s three quick wickets in the middle overs to get rid of Shreyas Iyer, Shashank Singh, and Marcus Stoinis brought Gujarat back into the contest.
But Connolly, calm and composed in his approach, scored an unbeaten 72 of 44 balls to take his team home.
GT, batting first, could only manage to put on 162/6 on the board from its 20 overs thanks to some tight bowling by PBKS’ bowlers. Punjab’s bowling, led by Vijaykumar Vyshak figures of three for 34, executed their plans to perfection, using the slower balls to good effect as Gujarat’s batters failed to get going.
Chasing the total, Punjab Kings got off to good start, reaching the team 50 within the powerplay. Priyansh Arya was dismissed early but Prabhsimran Singh (37 runs from 24 balls) and Cooper Connolly who walked in at three, took the attack to Gujarat’s bowlers.
By the 12th over, PBKS had scored 110 runs, needing just 52 runs at just over a run a ball. But enter Prasidh Krishna. His three quick strikes to get rid of Shreyas Iyer, Shashank Singh, and Marcus Stoinis, turned the match on its tide.
But Connolly stood tall, and with Jansen as his partner, eventually took his side home with five balls to spare.
Published on Mar 31, 2026