PBKS vs GT Highlights, IPL 2026: Cooper Connolly guides Punjab Kings to win by 3 wickets against Gujarat Titans

Cooper Connolly seals it in style on his IPL debut with a classy boundary off Washington Sundar. The 22-year-old finishes a brilliant innings, guiding Punjab Kings to victory over Gujarat Titans. A standout performance under pressure, and what a memorable debut for Connolly!

A massive over swings it firmly back in Punjab Kings’ favour. Xavier Bartlett’s six off the first ball sets the tone, and Cooper Connolly backs it up with a boundary as 14 runs come off the over.

The equation is now heavily in PBKS’ control, with just a handful needed in the final over. Gujarat Titans are running out of options, while Connolly continues to lead the chase calmly.

Punjab Kings 161/7 after 19 overs. They need just 2 runs from the final 6 deliveries

Gujarat Titans strike again at the right time with Ashok Sharma removing Marco Jansen via a clever slower ball, picking up his maiden IPL wicket. That’s another blow to Punjab Kings in the death overs.

Only 5 runs come off the over, tightening the equation further. Cooper Connolly is still there, but he’s running out of partners as pressure mounts on PBKS.

Punjab Kings 147/7 after 18 overs.

Marco Jansen injects momentum with a powerful six off Prasidh Krishna, showing intent as support for Connolly. Prasidh, however, keeps things tight otherwise with clever variations and even overturns a wide via DRS to end with a dot.

Punjab Kings are hanging in through Connolly and Jansen, but Gujarat Titans continue to apply pressure with disciplined bowling.

Punjab Kings 142/6 after 17 overs.

Cooper Connolly anchors the chase brilliantly, bringing up a composed fifty on debut with a boundary and then finishing the over with a commanding six off Rabada. He mixes control with aggression, keeping the scoreboard moving despite pressure.

Punjab Kings get a much-needed boost, but the game still hangs in balance with wickets down and responsibility on Connolly.

Punjab Kings 133/6 after 16 overs.

Gujarat Titans have completely flipped the game. Prasidh Krishna runs through the middle order, picking up two quick wickets including Marcus Stoinis for a duck.

Punjab Kings have crashed from to 121/6 after 15 overs, turning a comfortable chase into a tense one. Cooper Connolly remains key, but the pressure is now firmly on PBKS.

Gujarat Titans are right back in control as Prasidh Krishna strikes again, dismissing Shashank Singh with extra bounce inducing an edge to the keeper.

Punjab Kings are now slipping after a strong start, losing wickets in quick succession, while GT have completely turned the game around.

Punjab Kings 118/5 after 14.2 overs

Gujarat Titans continue their comeback as Washington Sundar removes Nehal Wadhera, making the earlier dropped chance irrelevant. Punjab Kings are losing wickets in clusters now, which is slowing their momentum.

Cooper Connolly is still holding one end, while Shashank Singh starts rotating strike, but GT have firmly pulled things back in the middle overs.

Punjab Kings 118/4 after 14 overs

Gujarat Titans strike immediately as Prasidh Krishna removes Shreyas Iyer on the first ball of the over, a soft dismissal right after the injury scare. That’s a big breakthrough for GT, shifting momentum slightly.

Nehal Wadhera gets a life soon after with a dropped catch at cover, and manages to rotate strike, but Punjab Kings have lost a key batter at a crucial phase.

Punjab Kings 113/3 after 13 overs

Punjab Kings keep the scoreboard ticking with Cooper Connolly continuing his aggressive approach, including a clean six off Rashid Khan. However, there’s a big concern for PBKS as Shreyas Iyer takes a painful blow to the wrist while trying to stop a fierce drive, briefly leaving the field in discomfort before continuing.

Despite the scare, Punjab Kings remain in control with steady runs and wickets in hand.

Punjab Kings 110/2 after 12 overs

Shreyas Iyer counterattacks immediately with two sixes in the over, one controlled pull and one fortunate top-edge that sails over. Ashok Sharma keeps it tight otherwise, conceding just a single apart from the big hits.

Despite losing Prabhsimran Singh, Punjab Kings maintain momentum with Iyer looking positive at the crease.

Punjab Kings 99/2 after 11 overs.

Gujarat Titans get a much-needed breakthrough as Rashid Khan ends Prabhsimran Singh’s attacking knock. After keeping the pressure with tight lines, Rashid gets his reward when Prabhsimran goes for another big hit but doesn’t get the placement right, hitting it flat straight to long-on where Prasidh Krishna takes a safe catch. A crucial wicket for GT as they finally break the dangerous partnership and pull things back slightly.

GT 83/2 after 9.3 overs.

Punjab Kings keep the momentum firmly in their favour with Prabhsimran Singh leading the charge again. He starts the over in style, shuffling across and slog-sweeping a flighted delivery over square leg for a SIX. Washington Sundar manages to pull things back after that, keeping it full and tight, restricting both batters to singles and dot balls. There’s also a sharp stop from Sundar to prevent a boundary. Despite the controlled finish, PBKS continue to cruise with Prabhsimran looking in excellent touch.

Punjab Kings 81/1 after 9 overs

Punjab Kings continue to stay ahead in the chase with Cooper Connolly taking the attack to Rashid Khan. After a cautious start, Connolly capitalises on a short delivery, picking the length early and smashing it over long-on for a SIX. Rashid pulls things back well after that, mixing his pace and lengths to restrict easy scoring. Prabhsimran Singh rotates strike but can’t find the boundary despite a couple of opportunities. Still, a positive over for PBKS as they keep the scoreboard ticking and maintain control.

Punjab Kings 72/1 after 8 overs

Punjab Kings continue their strong start as Prabhsimran Singh takes on Washington Sundar. The over begins with steady rotation before the pair bring up their 50-run partnership with a single. Prabhsimran then provides the highlight, slog-sweeping a delivery in his arc over long-on for a clean SIX. There’s a brief scare with an inside edge, but he survives and closes the over quietly. Another productive over for PBKS as they maintain control of the chase.

Punjab Kings 64/1 after 7 overs

Rashid Khan brings some control back for Gujarat Titans, though PBKS still manage to pick up a boundary. Cooper Connolly reads the delivery early and smashes it straight past the bowler for FOUR, but apart from that, Rashid keeps things tight. The big moment comes when Prabhsimran Singh is given out LBW attempting a sweep, only to review successfully as UltraEdge shows an inside edge, a crucial escape for PBKS. Rashid finishes the over strongly with dot balls, applying pressure after the early onslaught.

Punjab Kings 55/1 after 6 overs

Punjab Kings keep the pressure firmly on Gujarat Titans as the runs continue to flow freely. After a couple of singles and a dropped return chance that lets Cooper Connolly off the hook, Ashok Sharma loses control slightly with a couple of wides. Connolly makes the most of it, creating room and smashing a short ball over deep point for a SIX. Prabhsimran Singh then finishes the over in style, standing tall to cut another short delivery powerfully through point for FOUR. A costly over for GT as PBKS maintain their aggressive approach.

Punjab Kings 50/1 after 5 overs

Punjab Kings (PBKS) turn the momentum around with a stunning over against Kagiso Rabada, taking him apart for three sixes. Prabhsimran Singh gets things going by smashing a full delivery over cow corner, and follows it up with another maximum, this time riding the pace of a short ball that flies over third man. After a brief dot and a quick single, Cooper Connolly joins the party. He survives a close scare attempting a cheeky shot, but makes no mistake on the final ball, drilling a slot delivery over cover for a big SIX. A massive over for PBKS as they put GT under pressure early.

Punjab Kings 37/1 after 4 overs

Punjab Kings begin to rebuild after the early wicket, with Cooper Connolly showing intent against Mohammed Siraj. The over starts with singles and a bit of luck, as both batters get inside edges and mistime strokes while trying to force the pace. Connolly looks to go big and just manages to clear the infield for a couple, before finding the boundary, a cross-batted slog through mid-on and mid-wicket that isn’t the cleanest, but races away for FOUR. Siraj keeps testing them with short-of-length deliveries, but Punjab Kings manage to pick up useful runs and keep the scoreboard moving.

Kagiso Rabada provides Gujarat Titans with the early breakthrough, removing Priyansh Arya just as he looked to get going. After beating him outside off with a sharp delivery first up, Rabada bangs one in short and forces a mistimed pull, Arya is hurried on the shot and ends up spooning a simple catch to mid-wicket. Cooper Connolly walks in for his IPL debut and gets off the mark with a single, while Prabhsimran Singh also rotates strike. A solid over for Gujarat as Rabada makes an early impact.

GT 10/1 after 2 overs

A cautious start from Priyansh Arya against Mohammed Siraj, who begins with tight lines and probing lengths, keeping the batter quiet for the first four deliveries. Arya struggles to find timing early, managing only defensive strokes and mistimed pushes. But he breaks free in style, latching onto a short and wide delivery and slashing it emphatically over deep point for a SIX. He then closes the over with a single, getting off strike. A steady over overall, but that late maximum gives Punjab an early boost.

PBKS 7/0 after 1 over.

A messy final over from Arshdeep Singh, filled with extras and missed opportunities, but Gujarat fail to fully capitalise. The over begins with a wide and a couple of dots before Rahul Tewatia finally breaks the shackles, pulling a slower short ball fine for FOUR. However, Arshdeep continues with his variations, including another short ball that results in a no-ball for height, giving Gujarat a free-hit, but Tewatia can only manage a single. There are more extras as Arshdeep struggles with his line, conceding wides and even overthrows on a leg-side delivery. Tewatia adds a single, but the final ball sums up the over — initially called a wide, Punjab review successfully to overturn it into a dot as Rashid Khan misses his flick. A chaotic over, but not a costly one for Punjab as Gujarat miss a chance for a big finish.

A massive over for Punjab Kings as Vijaykumar Vyshak picks up two crucial wickets to derail Gujarat’s finish. The over begins with the dismissal of Washington Sundar, who looks to force the pace against a slower delivery but ends up hitting it straight to deep point, with Arshdeep Singh completing the catch. Rahul Tewatia walks in and gets going with a couple of twos, though there’s a lengthy review for a wide that ultimately stays with the on-field call, costing Punjab a review. Just when Gujarat look to rebuild again, Vyshak strikes once more, Shahrukh Khan attempts a slog on one knee but picks out the fielder in the deep, and Arshdeep takes another safe catch. A superb over for Punjab, tightening their grip at the death.

Gujarat Titans 150/6 after 19 overs

Washington Sundar manages to find the fence, but Xavier Bartlett largely keeps things tight in another disciplined over for Punjab. The over begins with a single from Shahrukh Khan before Bartlett hits his yorker lengths, even forcing Sundar into a couple of dot balls with well-executed deliveries outside off. A wide yorker just slips beyond the tramline, but Sundar finally gets something to work with, an overpitched ball on the pads is neatly flicked away to fine leg for FOUR. However, there’s no follow-up damage as Bartlett closes the over strongly, including a sharp stop off his own bowling to deny Shahrukh. Gujarat continue to struggle for a big finish.

Gujarat Titans 144/4 after 18 overs

Marco Jansen continues his disciplined spell, not allowing Gujarat Titans to find any late-innings momentum. Mixing his pace cleverly, he keeps both Washington Sundar and Shahrukh Khan in check, restricting them to singles for most of the over. Sundar looks to break free with an attempted slog across the line but is beaten completely by a full delivery. Even the slightly shorter ball that Sundar cuts only results in a couple, with no real boundary opportunity created. With just ones and twos coming, Punjab firmly control the tempo as Gujarat struggle to shift gears at the death.

Gujarat Titans 137/4 after 17 overs

Yuzvendra Chahal delivers another big blow as Punjab Kings continue to chip away at Gujarat Titans' batting. The over starts quietly with singles and two dot balls that build pressure on Jos Buttler. Trying to break free, Buttler dances down the track and looks to go big over long-on, but doesn’t get the desired elevation. Xavier Bartlett times his jump perfectly in the deep and completes an excellent catch to send Buttler back for 38. Washington Sundar and the new batter Shahrukh Khan rotate strike towards the end, but it’s Chahal who wins this round, picking up another crucial wicket at a key stage.

Gujarat Titans 131/4 after 16 overs

Washington Sundar makes a positive start, ensuring Gujarat Titans doesn't lose momentum after the previous wicket. Arshdeep begins with a single to Buttler before Sundar gets into action, punching one for a couple and then capitalising on a fuller delivery, leaning into a classy drive over extra cover for FOUR with mid-off inside the circle. Arshdeep responds with a series of slower, short deliveries outside off, cleverly varying his pace and line, even forcing Sundar to leave a couple. There’s a bit of wayward bowling at the end with a wide bouncer, but Sundar finishes the over with a pull for a single. A mixed over, but Gujarat keep the scoreboard moving.

Gujarat Titans 128/3 after 15 overs

Just when Glenn Phillips was beginning to look dangerous, Vijaykumar Vyshak pulls things back for Punjab with a crucial wicket. The over starts with Phillips finding gaps and running hard, picking up a couple of twos with well-placed shots, though Marco Jansen does well in the deep to cut them off. Buttler chips in with a single, keeping the strike rotating. But Vyshak has the final say, a slower delivery on middle tempts Phillips into going aerial, and despite making decent contact, he picks out long-off perfectly. Jansen completes a safe catch to send Phillips back for 25.

Gujarat Titans 119/3 after 14 overs.

Jos Buttler continues to anchor the innings while adding some muscle as Gujarat keep the scoreboard moving. After a couple of singles to start the over, Bartlett deceives Buttler with a slower short ball that foils an attempted reverse scoop. But Buttler adjusts quickly, when Bartlett misses his mark again, serving a slower back-of-a-length delivery, Buttler rocks back and smashes it powerfully over mid-on for a SIX. The rest of the over is kept under control with tight yorker-length bowling and singles, including a well-executed squeeze from Phillips. Another steady over for Gujarat, with Buttler ensuring the momentum doesn’t dip.

Gujarat Titans 111/2 after 13 overs

Glenn Phillips injects momentum back into the innings with a proactive over against Yuzvendra Chahal. He starts in style, making room to a flighted delivery and launching it straight over long-on for a SIX. Chahal nearly has the last laugh soon after as Buttler gets a leading edge that lobs back, but the bowler can’t hold on to a tough return chance. Buttler manages a single with a reverse sweep before Phillips rides his luck, a cut shot flies uppishly past a diving cover for FOUR, bringing up Gujarat’s 100. The over ends with more strike rotation as Gujarat find a timely push after a quiet phase.

Gujarat Titans 102/2 after 12 overs

Marco Jansen delivers a disciplined over, not allowing Gujarat any room to accelerate after the loss of Shubman Gill. Glenn Phillips and Jos Buttler manage only singles throughout, with Jansen mixing his lengths effectively and sticking to tight lines. A short ball to Phillips is pulled hard but straight to the fielder in the deep, while Buttler looks to drive and flick but can’t pierce the field. No boundaries and no real scoring opportunities as Punjab tighten their grip, forcing Gujarat into a rebuilding phase.

89/2 after 11 overs

A dramatic over from Yuzvendra Chahal that swings momentum back in Punjab’s favour. The over begins poorly for the leg-spinner as he fires one wide before being taken on, Shubman Gill dances down the track and lofts him beautifully inside-out over cover for FOUR, followed by a couple more runs with a slog sweep.

But Chahal responds brilliantly, slowing it up and enticing Gill into another big shot. This time, the connection isn’t clean, and Gill holes out to deep mid-wicket where Cooper Connolly completes a safe catch. Glenn Phillips walks in but is kept quiet, while Buttler also defends the final ball. A game-changing over as Punjab finally break through Gill’s resistance.

Gujarat Titans 84/2 after 10 overs

Yuzvendra Chahal delivers a crucial breakthrough for Punjab, removing the well-set Shubman Gill just as Gujarat looked comfortable. Tossing it up and taking pace off, Chahal tempts Gill into the slog sweep, but the execution isn’t right. Gill fails to get the elevation or distance, and the ball is safely taken by Cooper Connolly in the deep.

Gujarat Titans 83/2 after 9.3 overs

After a quiet start to the over, Jos Buttler injects some much-needed momentum with a clever piece of innovation. Xavier Bartlett begins his spell with a series of slower deliveries, keeping Buttler in check and even inducing a mistimed pull. There’s a moment of urgency as Buttler risks a quick single to cover, diving full length to make his ground.

Gill is kept quiet with a dot ball in between, as Bartlett maintains tight lines. But Buttler has the final say, shuffling across his stumps, he scoops a slower short ball brilliantly over the keeper for FOUR.

Gujarat Titans 76/1 after 9 overs

Yuzvendra Chahal delivers a controlled over to slow things down after the powerplay surge. Mixing his pace cleverly and getting a bit of grip off the surface, he doesn’t allow the batters to free their arms. Buttler and Gill are restricted to nudging the ball around for singles, with one leg-bye added when Gill misses a sweep down the leg side. There’s a brief moment of uncertainty as Gill closes the bat face early and gets a soft leading edge, but it falls safely. No boundaries in the over as Chahal does his job well, forcing Gujarat to settle for rotation rather than acceleration.

Gujarat Titans 70/1 after 8 overs

A strong finish to the powerplay for Gujarat, with Jos Buttler providing the highlight. The over begins with rotation of strike before Buttler takes charge, a near-perfect yorker from Vyshak misses its mark by inches and is punished, as Buttler smashes it straight back over the sightscreen for a towering SIX. There’s a bit of chaos later with a leg-bye and an overthrow adding an extra run, reflecting some sloppy fielding. Gill continues to keep things steady at the other end, picking up a couple with a controlled pull. Gujarat close the powerplay on a high, with momentum firmly in their favour thanks to Buttler’s clean hitting.

Gujarat Titans 65/1 after 7 overs

Marco Jansen keeps things relatively tight but Jos Buttler manages to sneak in a boundary to keep Gujarat ticking. The over begins with Buttler working one into the leg side before Gill chips in with a single. Jansen mixes his lengths well, including a sharp yorker that Buttler can only squeeze back to the bowler. However, a short and wide delivery provides the release. Buttler cuts it hard towards deep point, where a fumble in the field allows the ball to slip through for FOUR. Apart from that lapse, Jansen maintains discipline, conceding just singles and dot balls.

Gujarat Titans 54/1 after 6 overs.

Gujarat regain their rhythm after the wicket with both Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler finding boundaries in the over. Vyshak starts decently, keeping it tight with a couple of dot balls and a mistimed drive from Gill that only fetches a single. Buttler then gets going with a confident punch through cover for FOUR, a shot that should settle him in. There’s a brief moment of excitement as Gill is beaten on the inside edge with a half-appeal for caught behind, but it doesn’t carry. Gill has the final say though, finishing the over with a well-placed shot to sweeper cover for FOUR.

Gujarat Titans 47/1 after 5 overs

Marco Jansen provides Punjab with the much-needed breakthrough, striking in the middle of the over to break the opening stand. After a couple of quiet deliveries and a single that brought Shubman Gill on strike, Jansen troubles Sai Sudharsan with extra bounce before setting him up perfectly. Jos Buttler walks in next but is kept quiet with two solid defensive shots to close the over. A big moment for Punjab as they finally get a foothold in the game.

Gujarat Titans 37/1 after 4 overs

Punjab finally get the breakthrough they were searching for as Marco Jansen delivers. After Gujarat’s steady start, Sai Sudharsan falls trying to keep the momentum going. The left-hander is caught by Shreyas Iyer, bringing an end to his brief but positive innings. A timely wicket for Punjab just as the opening stand was beginning to look threatening.

GT 37/1 after 3.4 overs

Arshdeep Singh continues to leak runs as Gujarat maintain their early momentum. Sai Sudharsan sets the tone by pulling a short ball powerfully over mid-wicket for FOUR, though Arshdeep pulls things back briefly with a couple of tighter deliveries. A single gets Gill back on strike, but the over soon slips again, a wayward short ball down the leg side is called wide, and the next delivery brings a stroke of luck for Gill. Attempting an aggressive shot after stepping out, he gets a top-edge that flies over the keeper for another FOUR. Despite one well-timed drive being stopped at mid-off, Gill finishes the over with a couple off his pads.

Gujarat Titans 35/0 after 3 overs.

Shubman Gill shifts gears early and takes control of the innings against Xavier Bartlett. After a watchful first ball pushed to mid-on, Gill opens up with back-to-back boundaries, first a crisp clip through mid-wicket off a fuller delivery, and then an aggressive charge down the track to loft it over mid-on. Even though the second one isn’t perfectly timed, it comfortably clears the infield. Bartlett manages to slow things down briefly with a couple of singles, but Gill isn’t done yet. He finishes the over in style, leaning into a leg-stump half-volley and driving it beautifully past mid-on for his third FOUR of the over. A big statement over from Gill as Gujarat build strong early momentum.

Gujarat Titans 23/0 after 2 overs.

Sai Sudharsan gets off the mark with a single before Shubman Gill follows suit with a tuck to deep square leg. Arshdeep then loses his line, first sending one well wide outside off and then drifting onto the pads, and Sudharsan cashes in, glancing it fine for the first four of the innings. The bowler pulls it back with a straighter delivery that’s worked to mid-wicket, but the batters continue to rotate strike with ease. Gill finishes the over with a quick single to keep strike. A productive opening over for Gujarat, aided by that early boundary.

GT 9/0 after 1 over

Priyansh Arya, Harpreet Brar, Praveen Dubey, Vishnu Vinod, Suryansh Shedge

Prabhsimran Singh(w), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

Prasidh Krishna, Jason Holder, Jayant Yadav, Manav Suthar, Kumar Kushagra

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, M Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Ashok Sharma, Mohammed Siraj

“I think the wicket looks pretty good. It has been under the covers for the past couple of days, rain on and off, and a bit cloudy. But when we came in today, we looked at the wicket, it looked like a pretty good wicket to bat on. Even last year as well, we had a pretty successful season. Up until the 13th match, we were at the number one position. And obviously, we lost out here at the qualifiers, which was also a close game. There were some areas that I felt we needed to work on, and fielding was one of them. And this year, it's all about having that extra 5% adding up in our batting, bowling, and fielding. And I think that will be the challenge for us. We've got actually two debutants. Glenn is making a debut for us, and Ashok Sharma is also making a debut for us. And in terms of our overseas, we've got Jos, Glenn, Rashid, and Rabada. (On Buttler) He's such an experienced player. You know, the value that he brings, not just as a batsman, but as a player into the team, is immense for us. And I'm pretty sure, you know, he's going to have another great year with us.”

“We are going to bowl first. We had a phenomenal last season. We have to stay in the present. We didn't have to think about the past. We need to play our best brand of cricket. Cooper is come in. Stoinis, Bartlett and Marco Jansen.”

Punjab Kings win the toss and opt to bowl first.