Punjab Kings (PBKS) registered a three-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans (GT) in their Indian Premier League opener at Mullanpur on Tuesday, with debutant Cooper Connolly playing a decisive unbeaten knock.
Chasing 163, PBKS appeared in control before a mid-innings collapse triggered by Prasidh Krishna tightened the contest. Connolly, however, held his ground to guide the team home in 19.1 overs.
Earlier, PBKS bowlers Vijaykumar Vyshak and Yuzvendra Chahal led the effort to restrict Gujarat Titans to 162/6. Vyshak claimed 3/34, while Chahal picked up 2/28, supported by Marco Jansen’s economical 1/20.
GT openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan provided a steady start, adding 37 runs before Sudharsan was dismissed. Gill continued to anchor the innings alongside Jos Buttler, taking the score past 50 within the powerplay.
Chahal broke the partnership by dismissing Gill for 39, while Buttler contributed 38 before falling in the middle overs. Glenn Phillips added 25, but Gujarat Titans struggled to build sustained partnerships as wickets fell at regular intervals.
In response, PBKS lost Priyansh Arya early, but Prabhsimran Singh and Connolly counter-attacked, putting together a 76-run partnership. Prabhsimran scored 37 before being dismissed by Rashid Khan.
PBKS crossed the 100-run mark comfortably, but a dramatic spell from Prasidh Krishna, who picked up three wickets, reduced them from 110/2 to 118/6, bringing Gujarat Titans back into the game.
Connolly reached his half-century on debut and continued to anchor the innings despite losing partners at the other end. Marco Jansen added useful runs before his dismissal, leaving PBKS needing a composed finish.
Connolly sealed the victory with a boundary in the final over, remaining unbeaten on 72 off 44 balls.
Brief Scores:
Gujarat Titans 162/6 (Shubman Gill 39, Jos Buttler 38; Vijaykumar Vyshak 3/34, Yuzvendra Chahal 2/28)
Punjab Kings 165/7 in 19.1 overs (Cooper Connolly 72*, Prabhsimran Singh 37; Prasidh Krishna 3/29)
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