PBKS vs GT IPL 2026: Punjab Kings Beat Gujarat Titans in Thrilling Opener
PBKS vs GT IPL 2026 delivered an exciting contest as Punjab Kings kicked off their campaign with a thrilling three-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans at home. The match saw standout performances from Cooper Connolly and Vijaykumar Vyshak, helping PBKS chase down a target of 163 with five balls to spare.
Connolly and Vyshak Star in PBKS vs GT IPL 2026
Punjab Kings, runners-up last season, showed strong intent despite a mid-innings collapse. Cooper Connolly played a match-winning knock of 72* off 44 balls on his IPL debut, anchoring the chase under pressure.
Meanwhile, Vijaykumar Vyshak was the standout bowler, picking up 3 wickets for 34 runs and restricting Gujarat Titans to a below-par total of 162/6. His crucial breakthroughs in the death overs turned the momentum firmly in PBKS’ favor.
Gujarat Titans Fail to Capitalize on Strong Start
In the PBKS vs GT IPL 2026 clash, Gujarat Titans looked set for a big total after solid partnerships in the top order.
Shubman Gill scored 39 off 27 balls
Glenn Phillips added a quick 25 off 17
However, once Vyshak dismissed Phillips, GT lost momentum. The middle and lower order failed to accelerate, managing just 34 runs in the death overs.
A chaotic final over from Arshdeep Singh, which included wides, a no-ball, and free hits, pushed GT past 160—but it still proved insufficient.
PBKS Chase: Dominance, Collapse, and Recovery
Punjab Kings started aggressively in the PBKS vs GT IPL 2026 chase.
Prabhsimran Singh scored 37 off 24
Shared a 76-run partnership with Connolly
However, a dramatic collapse saw PBKS fall from 110/2 to 118/6 in just 14 balls.
Prasidh Krishna triggered the collapse with key wickets, including:
Nehal Wadhera
Shashank Singh
Marcus Stoinis
Despite the setback, Connolly held his nerve and rebuilt the innings brilliantly.
Connolly Seals the Game Under Pressure
The turning point in PBKS vs GT IPL 2026 came when Connolly attacked Kagiso Rabada, bringing the equation under control.
Reached his fifty in just 34 balls
Played crucial shots in the death overs
Finished the match with boundary hits in the final over
Support came from Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett, who maintained the scoring rate with timely sixes.
Match Summary: PBKS vs GT IPL 2026
Gujarat Titans: 162/6 (20 overs)
Shubman Gill: 39 (27)
Glenn Phillips: 25 (17)
Punjab Kings: 165/7 (19.1 overs)
Cooper Connolly: 72* (44)
Prabhsimran Singh: 37 (24)
Result: Punjab Kings won by 3 wickets
Key Takeaways from PBKS vs GT IPL 2026
PBKS showed strong finishing ability despite a middle-order collapse
Cooper Connolly proved to be a game-changer on debut
Vijaykumar Vyshak’s death bowling made the difference
Gujarat Titans need better finishing from their lower order
What’s Next?
Punjab Kings will face Chennai Super Kings on April 3
Gujarat Titans will take on Rajasthan Royals on April 4