IPL: Connolly stars as Punjab Kings edge Gujarat Titans
Chasing 163, Punjab reached 165 for 7 in 19.1 overs, thanks largely to an unbeaten 72 from Australian debutant Cooper Connolly, who guided his side home with five balls to spare.
KATHMANDU: Last season’s runners-up, Punjab Kings, kicked off their Indian Premier League campaign with a three-wicket win over Gujarat Titans at home on Tuesday.
Chasing 163, Punjab reached 165 for 7 in 19.1 overs, thanks largely to an unbeaten 72 from Australian debutant Cooper Connolly, who guided his side home with five balls to spare.
Punjab’s chase was far from straightforward. They slumped dramatically in the middle overs, losing four wickets for just eight runs to fall from 110 for 2 to 118 for 6, putting Gujarat firmly in control.
However, Connolly held his nerve, combining caution with aggression to anchor the innings. He shared a crucial 76-run partnership with Prabhsimran Singh, who scored 38, before finishing the match in style with a boundary.
Earlier, Gujarat Titans posted 162 for 6 in their 20 overs, despite a promising start. Vijaykumar Vyshak was the standout bowler for Punjab, taking 3 wickets for 34 runs and playing a key role in restricting the total.
Vyshak broke Gujarat’s momentum by dismissing the dangerous Glenn Phillips with a slower delivery, leaving the visitors at 119 for 3 after 14 overs.
He later struck twice in the 19th over to remove Washington Sundar and Shahrukh Khan, ensuring Gujarat could not accelerate at the death.
Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer added a quick 18 off 11 balls, while late contributions, including a six each from Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett, kept the chase on track.
The match also saw an impactful spell from Prasidh Krishna, who triggered Punjab’s collapse with three key wickets after coming on as an impact substitute.
Despite brief rain interruptions and mounting pressure, Connolly’s composed innings proved decisive, sealing a memorable win for Punjab Kings in their opening match.
