PBKS vs GT Highlights, IPL 2026: Cooper Connolly shines as PBKS beat GT by three wickets in last-over thriller

GT vs PBKS Highlights, IPL 2026: Debutant Cooper Connolly announced himself in style, scoring a brilliant maiden half-century to guide Punjab Kings to a thrilling three-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in their IPL 2026 clash at the PCA New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Tuesday.

Chasing 163, Punjab Kings suffered an early blow as impact player Priyansh Arya fell for 7 in the second over to Kagiso Rabada. However, Prabhsimran Singh quickly shifted momentum with an aggressive counterattack, smashing back-to-back sixes off Rabada. Connolly joined the assault, and the duo powered PBKS to 55/1 at the end of the powerplay. They stitched together a crucial 76-run stand for the second wicket, putting the chase firmly on track.

GT Fight Back, Connolly Holds Nerve

Rashid Khan broke the partnership in the 10th over, dismissing Prabhsimran for a quickfire 37. Captain Shreyas Iyer kept the momentum going with a couple of sixes but was removed by Prasidh Krishna in the 13th over. Gujarat Titans then staged a strong comeback, picking up wickets in clusters as Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, and Marcus Stoinis departed in quick succession.

Despite the collapse at the other end, Connolly held his composure and brought up his maiden IPL fifty in just 34 balls. The 22-year-old remained unbeaten on 72 off 44 deliveries, striking five fours and five sixes, and steered Punjab home alongside Xavier Bartlett (11*) with five balls to spare.

For Gujarat Titans, Prasidh Krishna was the standout bowler with figures of 3/29, while Rabada, Rashid Khan, Washington Sundar, and Ashok Sharma picked up a wicket each.

Earlier, Punjab Kings produced a disciplined bowling effort to restrict Gujarat Titans to 162/6. Vijaykumar Vyshak starred with the ball, claiming three wickets, while Yuzvendra Chahal chipped in with two.

Gujarat got off to a flying start, with Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan racing to 35/0 in just three overs. However, Marco Jansen provided the first breakthrough by dismissing Sudharsan for 13. Gill then anchored the innings alongside Jos Buttler, helping GT reach 54/1 at the end of the powerplay.

Gill, after an aggressive start, slowed down before being dismissed for 39 by Chahal in the 10th over. Glenn Phillips added a quick 25 but fell to Vyshak, while Buttler top-scored with 38 before being dismissed by Chahal in the 16th over. Washington Sundar struggled to accelerate, managing 18 runs late in the innings.

Vyshak finished with impressive figures of 3/34, while Chahal’s 2/28 ensured Gujarat Titans were kept in check despite their strong start.

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16:53 (IST) Mar 31

PBKS vs GT IPL Live Score: Punjab to rely on captain Shreyas Iyer

Punjab Kings won’t need reminding of what their captain brings to the table. Shreyas Iyer, last year, scored 604 runs at a strike-rate of 175, the best among the tournament’s top 10 run-getters. But PBKS will need to ensure the rest of the batting fires with him. Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya were one of last season’s most destructive opening partnerships - 1,024 runs together at a strike-rate of nearly 169. Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh and Suryansh Shedge give the middle order firepower.

Australia’s Cooper Connolly is primed to come in as the new No. 3, replacing Josh Inglis, though Cricket Australia has asked him to avoid bowling while his back heals. As Punjab Kings prepare to take the field, Ponting expressed his excitement to get the ball rolling, while also emphasising his belief in this new squad.

“We need to start well tomorrow, we need to play well at our home ground, but I honestly feel that we've got a better squad than we had last year. Our younger players are more experienced now and the overseas players that we've brought in this year are better than the squad that we had last year. So overall, I'm really excited to get the season underway,” he concluded.

16:50 (IST) Mar 31

PBKS vs GT IPL Live Score: Pitch condition

The match will be played on pitch No. 4, the same surface used in PBKS’ clash against Chennai Super Kings last season, where they posted a massive 219 on the back of an Arya century, with CSK replying with 201. PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting anticipates another high-scoring encounter, with totals in the 180–200 range likely on what appears to be a solid batting track. However, the pitch could offer some early assistance to pacers, making the powerplay a key phase. Dew is also expected to come into play later in the game, particularly in the second innings.

The weather forecast for the PBKS vs GT clash looks perfect for an uninterrupted game in IPL 2026. No rain is expected in Chandigarh, with temperatures hovering around 28°C, ensuring pleasant conditions for both players and spectators. The evening is likely to remain comfortable, but dew could become a significant factor later in the match, particularly during the second innings. As a result, teams winning the toss may prefer to chase.

16:49 (IST) Mar 31

PBKS vs GT IPL Live Score: Hello & welcome

Welcome to Times Of India's live coverage of the IPL 2026 match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. The runners up of IPL 2025 will begin their clash against Gujarat Titans on their homeground. The 2026 IPL season starts just days after the T20 World Cup, which means several players are coming in after a busy schedule, while some are still recovering from injuries.

Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill headline this clash as two of the IPL’s most consistent batters and leaders, yet both arrive with a point to prove after recent exclusion from India’s T20 plans. With both Gill and Iyer keen to make a statement, the season opener sets up as more than just a curtain-raiser; it is an early test of leadership, adaptability, and intent in a format where both captains still have something to prove.

Debutant Cooper Connolly delivered a standout performance, scoring a match-winning maiden half-century to guide Punjab Kings to a thrilling three-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 at New Chandigarh.

Chasing 163, PBKS suffered an early setback with Priyansh Arya dismissed cheaply by Kagiso Rabada. However, Prabhsimran Singh counterattacked aggressively, smashing consecutive sixes to shift momentum. Connolly complemented him brilliantly as the duo powered Punjab to 55/1 at the end of the powerplay. They added a crucial 76-run partnership for the second wicket, putting the chase firmly on track before Rashid Khan dismissed Prabhsimran for 37.

Gujarat Titans fought back strongly in the middle overs. Shreyas Iyer briefly maintained the tempo with two sixes but fell to Prasidh Krishna, who triggered a collapse. PBKS lost wickets in clusters, including Wadhera, Shashank Singh, and Marcus Stoinis, bringing GT back into the contest.

Amid the pressure, Connolly showed remarkable composure. The 22-year-old reached his maiden IPL fifty in just 34 balls and remained unbeaten on 72 off 44 deliveries, striking five fours and five sixes. With support from Xavier Bartlett, he guided Punjab home with five balls to spare. Krishna was the pick of GT’s bowlers with 3/29.

Earlier, Gujarat Titans posted 162/6 after a strong start from Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. The pair raced to 35/0 before Marco Jansen dismissed Sudharsan. Gill anchored the innings with 39, while Jos Buttler contributed 38. Glenn Phillips added a quick 25, but Punjab’s bowlers kept things under control.

Vijaykumar Vyshak starred with 3/34, while Yuzvendra Chahal picked up two wickets. Their disciplined effort ensured GT couldn’t fully capitalize on their strong start, setting up a competitive chase that Connolly ultimately sealed in style.

TOI

PBKS vs GT Highlights, IPL 2026: Cooper Connolly shines as PBKS beat GT by three wickets in last-over thriller

Match Statistics

Venue

New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh

GT PLAYING XI

PBKS PLAYING XI

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