The Punjab Kings opened their account in IPL 2026 with a three wicket victory, in a nail-biting finish against the Gujarat Titans, at the New PCA Stadium in Mullanpur.
Put into bat first, the Gujarat Titans got to 162/6, with the Punjab Kings putting in a solid display in the field. Shubman Gill’s 39, Jos Buttler’s 38 and Glenn Phillips’ 25 ensured Gujarat had something to bowl at, despite it being an under-par total.
Vijaykumar Vyshak picked up three wickets for 34 runs in his four overs. Marco Jansen dismissed Sai Sudharsan early in the powerplay, and Yuzvendra Chahal picked up the key wickets of Gill and Buttler.
In response, the Punjab Kings, despite losing Priyansh Arya early, went on with their chase with ease. Debutant Cooper Connolly, along with Prabhsimran Singh, set a platform early on with a 76-run partnership for the second wicket.
Punjab were cruising at 110/2 at the end of the 12th over, but Gujarat picked up key wickets, leaving them tottering at 118/6, with impact player Prasidh Krishna taking three wickets. Punjab lost one more before Connolly (unbeaten 72 off 44), and Bartlett, took them home with five balls to spare.
Talking points
1) Gujarat Titans middle order weakness an issue?
Gujarat Titans were heavily reliant on their top-three in 2025, as they scored the bulk of the runs. Today, the trio of Gill, Buttler and Sudharsan were dismissed early, exposing the frailties of their middle order, as they were not able to consolidate afterwards. The addition of Glenn Phillips was supposed to be a boost, but he was unable to contribute more than 25 runs. How the Titans solve this issue could define their season.
2) Is Chahal back at his best?
Yuzvendra Chahal has the most wickets in the IPL. For years, he has outfoxed batters with deception, subtle variations and accurate bowling. The leg-spinner was at his best, dismissing the dangerous Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler. Chahal showed his wits and experience today, and if he is to continue this form into the season, Punjab Kings will be a force to reckon with.
3) Connolly arrives when the lights are brightest
Cooper Connolly, the highly-rated Australian prospect, was carded in at number 3 on his debut. In his first IPL rodeo, the youngster came in early in the powerplay and took command of the chase. He held Punjab’s innings together, piercing gaps, going aerial and rotating the strike to remain unbeaten on 72. He carried on till the end, scoring vital runs despite wickets at the other end. He has been in very high regard in the Australian system, and showed glimpses of his talent at the biggest stage.
4) Gujarat Titans do well to hold on in the death
Gujarat Titans were one of the better death-bowling sides in 2025, and they look to have continued that form into 2026. Punjab Kings were cruising at 110/2, but the Titans pulled it back, leaving them at 118/6, with six overs left in the chase. The 2025 Purple Cap winner Prasidh Krishna picked up three wickets, continuing his form from last season. With the addition of speedster Ashok Sharma, who bowled impressively at the back-end, Gujarat Titans displayed the prowess of their bowling attack.
Who said what?
Shubman Gill, Gujarat Titans captain
“I think we bowled pretty well, we didn’t get going in the last five or six overs (with the bat), it wasn’t a 200 wicket, but if we had 175 it would have been different, but we kept losing wickets and we couldn’t get going in the last five overs. Once the ball got older it was difficult to hit down the ground, there was no pace on the wicket. When we were bowling, with the rain coming down it did not stop as much in the second innings, we did well with the bowling I could have got Prasidh on earlier, but we were in the game until the end, there will always be ifs and buts. Ashok bowled pretty well up front and in the back, as he plays more and gets more experience he will be of value for us. He works very hard on his game, he’s a good fielder for us, I met him at a camp a couple of months ago and was very impressed.”
Shreyas Iyer, Punjab Kings captain
“All I can say about the hand is that it’s nice, same as it was before, I don’t want to jinx anything. Some of the shots he (Connolly) played was surreal to watch, especially the one off Rashid. I was focused on my hand inside, icing it, suddenly we lost two wickets back to back, these things happen in the IPL, you have to stay composed. Cooper was there, he was composed and calm. After the third over we realised the wicket is slow, Arshdeep came and said it was holding a bit, we tried to make the ball old as soon as possible. Vyshak is carrying forward the form he performed in the last season, he is a big match player. I was surprised to see a short leg for me, I told Shubman I had never seen that before, it’s good to see captains attacking.”
Cooper Connolly, Player of the Match
“I was looking forward to the experience of playing with some world class players, but to put that performance in tonight, very happy. I spent some time with friends and family at home before this just to reset. I’m just more of a tempo player, feel the flow of my hands, don’t hit too many big sixes. Working with Ricky is great. Not a lot was said, we were quite relaxed, in a great position out there, nice to get the win with Xavier, looking forward to the rest of the tournament. That was the first time I played Rashid Khan, and I was trying to enjoy. Was nice to get the win.”
