Punjab Kings Survive Prasidh Krishna Scare

Cooper Connolly announced his arrival on the world stage with an unbeaten 72, steering Punjab Kings to a dramatic three-wicket win over Gujarat Titans at Mullanpur. Chasing a target of 163, the Australian all-rounder displayed immense composure even as his teammates faltered during a chaotic middle-order collapse. His match-winning knock, decorated with five boundaries and five maximums, ensured Punjab started their IPL 2026 campaign on a high note.

Dramatic Collapse at Mullanpur

Victory seemed certain for the Kings when they reached 110/2, but the game shifted rapidly. Prasidh Krishna produced a lethal burst of fast bowling, taking 3/29 and ripping through the heart of the Punjab batting lineup. Within a few overs, the hosts slipped to 118/6. This venue in Mullanpur, Punjab’s newest home ground, has quickly gained a reputation for providing late-innings drama due to its unique wind conditions and surface grip.

Titans Struggle against Spin

Earlier, Gujarat Titans failed to capitalize on a solid start provided by Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler. Despite Gill's brisk 39, the Titans were strangled by the spin of Yuzi Chahal and the disciplined pace of Vijaykumar Vyshak. Chahal’s dominance over Gill continued, dismissing the Titans' captain for the fourth time in their IPL encounters. The visitors eventually finished on 162/6, a total that proved just short of a winning score.

Connolly Holds Firm

While wickets tumbled at the other end, Connolly remained unfazed. He reached his fifty in just 34 deliveries and expertly managed the strike during the closing stages. Needing a boundary to finish the game in the final over, he struck the very first ball for four, silencing the Gujarat dugout and securing two points for his franchise in a high-stakes encounter.