New Delhi: What a way to kick off the new IPL season! In a nail-biting thriller at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, debutant Cooper Connolly stole the show as Punjab Kings snatched a thrilling 3-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans on Tuesday night.
Gujarat Titans won the toss and batted first, posting a competitive 162/6 in 20 overs on a slow pitch. PBKS bowlers, especially in the death overs, kept scoring in check, restricting the Titans to 34 runs in the last five overs.
The chase looked straightforward when PBKS raced to 110/2 in 12 overs. Prabhsimran Singh smashed a quick 37 off 24 balls, including four sixes, forming a solid 76-run partnership with Connolly. But then came the collapse. Prasidh Krishna triggered a dramatic slide with three wickets, and suddenly, PBKS were reeling at 144/7. The game seemed to be slipping away.
Enter the 22-year-old Australian all-rounder on his IPL debut. Cooper Connolly remained unbeaten on a blazing 72 off just 44 balls, smashing five fours and five sixes. With nerves of steel, he took the match deep and finished it in style. In the last over, he smashed the winning boundary off Washington Sundar, sealing the chase at 165/7 with five balls to spare. Young Xavier Bartlett gave him good company with a quick 11 off five balls.
Shreyas Iyer’s men survived a late scare to register their first win of IPL 2026, while GT will rue the missed opportunities despite Prasidh Krishna’s impressive 3/29.
For cricket fans, this was pure entertainment — a debut heroics that reminded everyone why the IPL remains the ultimate stage for young talent to shine under pressure.