Punjab Kings Clinch Thriller Against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026
The 4th match of the Indian Premier League 2026 between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at New Chandigarh delivered a nail-biting finish, with Punjab Kings securing a dramatic 3-wicket victory.
Gujarat Titans Post Competitive Total
Batting first, Gujarat Titans made a strong start, scoring 54/1 in the powerplay.
- Shubman Gill led from the front with a fluent 28
- Jos Buttler contributed a steady 38
- GT reached 100 runs in 11.5 overs, maintaining a solid run rate
Despite a stable middle phase, Punjab Kings managed to pull things back in the death overs:
- At 15 overs: 128/3
- Final total: 162/6 in 20 overs
Some late resistance from Rahul Tewatia wasn’t enough to push the score beyond reach, but 162 still looked competitive on the surface.
Punjab Kings Start Strong but Face Mid-Innings Collapse
Chasing 163, Punjab Kings began aggressively:
- 55/1 in the powerplay
- Reached 50 in just 4.6 overs
However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the middle overs:
- From a strong position, PBKS slipped to 118/5 in 14.2 overs
- Regular wickets put pressure back on the batting side
Cooper Connolly Turns the Game Around
The match hero was Cooper Connolly, who played a match-winning knock under pressure:
- 72 off 44 balls*
- 3 fours and 4 sixes
- Anchored the chase brilliantly
His composed innings ensured PBKS stayed in the hunt despite wickets falling at the other end.
Thrilling Finish in New Chandigarh
The game went down to the wire, but Punjab Kings held their nerve:
- 165/7 in 19.1 overs
- Won by 3 wickets
- 5 balls remaining
It was a perfect example of a well-paced chase in T20 cricket.
Player of the Match
Cooper Connolly
- 72* (44 balls)
- Match-winning innings under pressure
Match Summary
Gujarat Titans: 162/6 (20 overs)
Punjab Kings: 165/7 (19.1 overs)
Result: Punjab Kings won by 3 wickets
Player of the Match: Cooper Connolly