PBKS vs GT, IPL 2026: Punjab Kings survive collapse as debutant Connolly holds nerve in three-wicket win

Cooper Connolly for PBKS vs GT
Cooper Connolly for PBKS vs GT (PC: BCCI)

A thrilling finish in New Chandigarh as Punjab Kings (PBKS) edged past Gujarat Titans (GT) by three wickets in their IPL 2026 season opener on March 31. While chasing a 163-run target, the IPL 2025 runners-up were in trouble, but debutant Cooper Connolly showed maturity and calmness to ensure a winning start for the Kings.

GT’s top-order failure

Like last season, all eyes were on GT’s top three after they were asked to bat first. However, Sai Sudharsan (13 off 11), skipper Shubman Gill (39 off 27), and Jos Buttler (38 off 33) all got starts but failed to convert. In fact, none of the top five batters crossed a strike rate of 150 (highest was Glenn Phillips at 147.05, scoring 25 off 17).

Chahal’s spin and Vyshak’s variations

Veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal rattled the GT batting line-up with figures of 2/28 in four overs. He broke the backbone of the innings by dismissing both Gill and Buttler. With some assistance from the surface, Chahal assessed the conditions well, varied his pace, and deceived the batters, once again showing why he is the highest wicket-taker in IPL history.

He was well supported by Vijaykumar Vyshak, whose variations proved effective. His use of slower balls, along with changes in line and length, brought him three wickets for 34 runs. Marco Jansen bowled economically (20 runs in four overs) and built pressure.

Yuzvendra Chahal for PBKS vs GT
Yuzvendra Chahal for PBKS vs GT (PC: BCCI)

PBKS suffer collapse; Connolly holds nerve

Priyansh Arya failed to make an impact, getting out for seven, but a 76-run partnership between Prabhsimran Singh and Connolly set the tone. After Prabhsimran’s 37, skipper Shreyas Iyer looked in good touch during his 18-run stay, including two sixes.

However, there was an injury scare when Connolly accidentally struck Iyer on the wrist while attempting a shot off Rashid Khan. That seemed to affect him, as his dismissal triggered a collapse. Suddenly, from 110/2, PBKS slipped to 118/6, losing four wickets for just eight runs.

Despite the collapse, the 22-year-old Connolly stayed composed. Supported by useful contributions from Jansen and Xavier Bartlett, he guided the team home, hitting the winning runs on the first ball of the final over.

Prasidh Krishna shines again

Prasidh Krishna, last season’s Purple Cap winner (25 wickets in 15 games), started IPL 2026 strongly with figures of 3/29 in four overs. However, questions were raised over Gill’s captaincy as Prasidh was introduced only in the 13th over, despite PBKS scoring freely earlier.

When he did come on, he made an instant impact by dismissing Iyer off his first ball. He then triggered the collapse by removing Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis. However, the final over did not go in his favour as he conceded 14 runs.

Brief scores: GT 162/6 (Shubman Gill 39, Jos Buttler 38; Vijaykumar Vyshak 3/34) lost to PBKS 165/7 (Cooper Connolly 72*, Prabhsimran Singh 37; Prasidh Krishna 3/29) by three wickets.

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The post PBKS vs GT, IPL 2026: Punjab Kings survive collapse as debutant Connolly holds nerve in three-wicket win appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.



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