The ‘yellow alert’ forecast raised fears of rain from dark clouds hovering over the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA International Stadium on Tuesday evening, but instead it rained boundaries and sixes from the bat of debutant Cooper Connolly, as Punjab Kings opened their Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with a thrilling three‑wicket win against Gujarat Titans (GT).
It was a complete display of dominance and determination by the hosts, who executed their plans superbly. Skipper Shreyas Iyer put GT in to bat, where Vijaykumar Vyshak and seasoned leg‑spinner Yuzvendra Chahal restricted them to 162. Later, 22‑year‑old Connolly, bought by the Kings in the latest auction for Rs 3 crore, proved why he was worth the price.
Dropped on 15 by GT bowler Ashok Sharma, the IPL debutant went on to hammer a maiden 44‑ball 72, studded with five boundaries and five sixes—single‑handedly overshadowing Punjab’s middle‑order collapse before guiding the hosts to full points with five balls to spare.
Punjab began the chase with last year’s sensation Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh. Arya (7), used as an Impact Player, started with a six but failed against Kagiso Rabada. Prabhsimran (37), the local lad, took advantage of familiar conditions but, as in the previous season, failed to convert his start despite striking four sixes. Skipper Iyer (18) joined the crease and struck two fine sixes in a single over off Ashok. However, his concentration faltered after Connolly’s straight drive struck his hand, and he was caught by Washington Sundar off Prasidh Krishna. The middle order—Shashank Singh (4), Nehal Wadhera (3) and Marcus Stoinis (0)—fell cheaply, but Marco Jansen (9) and Xavier Bartlett (11) played small yet vital cameos, before Connolly sealed the win with a boundary.
Vyshak’s day out, Chahal’s breakthrough
Fresh from India’s second T20 World Cup win, Arshdeep Singh was not expected to ease the way for GT batters—especially in the final over. However, Vijaykumar Vyshak and seasoned leg‑spinner Yuzvendra Chahal produced their best to restrict GT to 162. Arshdeep bowled seven wides and one no‑ball, conceding 42 runs without a wicket. GT batters could have posted a far bigger total on a track expected to be flat, but Punjab’s bowlers held firm. While Arshdeep struggled, Vyshak claimed 3/34 and Chahal finished with fine figures of 2/28.
Put in to bat, GT opened with their most successful pair—Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. As expected, local lad Gill dealt in boundaries as the side raced to 35 in three overs. Gill struck three boundaries, then two more in the next over, forcing Shreyas Iyer to replace Arshdeep with Marco Jansen. It proved a smart move, as Jansen dismissed Sudharsan (13), who attempted a six over mid‑off but was caught by Iyer. Jos Buttler came in and began with a stylish cover drive. He tackled Punjab’s pacers well, striking a boundary off Jansen and a six off Vyshak.
However, another smart move by Iyer put GT on the back foot.
Chahal was introduced to the attack in the eighth over and the leg-spinner, who has a good record against Gill having dismissed the opener three times in previous IPL, hit the bulls-eye once again. He lured Gill (39) to come out of the crease, and forced him to end-up in the safe hands of Cooper Connolly at deep midwicket.
After getting the breakthrough, Punjab Kings managed to hold back GT from scoring runs, but Glenn Phillips smashed Chahal over long-on for a maximum, and then Buttler smoked a short Xavier Bartlett ball over mid-on for a six to achieve the 100-run mark.Chahal got his second wicket with an assist from Bartlett, sending back Buttler (33) and Vyshak removed Washington Sundar (16) to trouble the side further at 144/5.
Vyshak continued his golden run as he cut-short Shahrukh Khan (4)– but missed recording his first ever hattrick against Rahul Tewatia (11).
‘Cool’ Cooper smashes first 72 to Kings’ win
