LIVEIPL 2026 LIVE: Connolly stands tall and finishes in style as PBKS beat GT in thriller, Check all updates

PBKS fights back and secures victory

Punjab Kings pulled off a thrilling win over Gujarat Titans, chasing down the target in the final over. Cooper Connolly starred on debut, smashing the winning boundary and finishing with a composed knock under pressure. Despite a late fightback led by Prasidh Krishna, GT couldn’t defend their total. PBKS held their nerve in the closing moments, with Connolly’s calm finish sealing a memorable victory in a tightly contested IPL 2026 clash.

PBKS need 10 of 11

With Connolly's tough fight, Punjab has remained in the fight, and they need 10 runs in 11 balls.

Connolly brings up a blazing fifty to keep PBKS on track

Cooper Connolly powered Punjab Kings’ chase with a superb half-century, reaching 53 off just 34 balls. His innings included 3 fours and 4 sixes, showcasing a mix of controlled aggression and clean hitting. At a time when wickets were falling around him, Connolly held firm and kept the scoreboard moving. His knock has been crucial in maintaining PBKS’ momentum and keeping them firmly in contention in this competitive chase against the Gujarat Titans.

Prasidh krishna turns the game with fiery three-wicket spell

Prasidh Krishna has delivered a match-defining spell for Gujarat Titans, picking up 3 wickets for just 6 runs in his 2 overs so far. With an outstanding economy of 3.00, he has removed key batters including Shreyas Iyer, Shashank Singh, and Marcus Stoinis. His accuracy, bounce, and control have shifted momentum back in GT’s favor, putting Punjab Kings under pressure during a crucial phase of the chase.

Prasidh strikes again as PBKS lose Shashank Singh

Gujarat Titans clawed back into the contest as Prasidh Krishna dismissed Shashank Singh for 4, caught by Jos Buttler. Extracting extra bounce from a short-of-length delivery, Prasidh forced an edge that was safely taken behind the stumps. The wicket came at a crucial juncture, slowing Punjab Kings’ momentum in the chase. With two quick breakthroughs, GT have reignited hopes of a comeback as pressure begins to build on the chasing side.

Nehal Wadhera departs early

Gujarat Titans find rhythm with two wickets in two overs straight, after Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wadhera fall short on Washington Sundar's flighted delivery. Wadhera tried to go for a big shot, but it went straight into Gill's hand.

Prasidh strikes as PBKS lose Iyer at a crucial stage

Punjab Kings suffered a key setback as Shreyas Iyer fell for 18, caught by Washington Sundar off Prasidh Krishna. The wicket came at a crucial moment with PBKS well-placed in the chase at 110/3 in 12.3 overs. Iyer mistimed a flick off a gentle delivery, offering a simple catch. Gujarat Titans found a timely breakthrough to keep the contest alive, just as Punjab looked to tighten their grip on the game.

PBKS cruise to 108/2, need 55 off 49 against GT

Punjab Kings moved into a strong position at 108/2 in 11.5 overs, needing just 55 runs from 49 balls against Gujarat Titans. Cooper Connolly led the charge with a fluent 45, well supported by Prabhsimran Singh’s 37 and Shreyas Iyer’s brisk 18. Despite losing two wickets, PBKS have kept the required rate under control. With plenty of batting depth remaining, Punjab are firmly in command as the chase enters a decisive phase.

PBKS 55/1 after powerplay, steady chase on against GT

Punjab Kings reached 55/1 after six overs while chasing 163 against Gujarat Titans, maintaining a controlled start in the powerplay. Prabhsimran Singh and Cooper Connolly led the charge with aggressive intent, keeping the run rate above nine. Earlier, Kagiso Rabada removed Priyansh Arya, but PBKS recovered well. With plenty of batting depth still to come, including Shreyas Iyer and Marcus Stoinis, Punjab remain firmly in the contest as the chase builds momentum.

PBKS explode in over 4 with three sixes off Rabada

Punjab Kings shifted momentum dramatically in the fourth over, smashing 19 runs off Kagiso Rabada. Prabhsimran Singh and Cooper Connolly attacked aggressively, clearing the ropes three times to put the Gujarat Titans under pressure. After a relatively steady start, this over-injected pace in PBKS’ innings lifted the run rate significantly. GT’s premier pacer struggled with control, allowing PBKS to capitalise and seize an early advantage in the powerplay phase with intent.

Rabada strikes early as GT remove priyansh arya

Gujarat Titans made an early breakthrough as Kagiso Rabada dismissed Priyansh Arya for 7 in the second over. The short delivery outside off forced Arya into a mistimed pull, with the ball ballooning towards mid-wicket. Debutant Ashok Sharma showed composure to complete a safe catch. GT’s bowlers struck at the right moment, putting Punjab Kings under early pressure and gaining momentum in the powerplay phase of the innings.

Shahrukh Khan departs

Vijaykumar Vyshak strikes yet again and Shahrukh Khan departs! Coming from round the wicket, Vyshak goes full and tempts Shahrukh into the big shot. The batter drops to one knee and tries to slog it across the line, making decent contact but not quite enough to clear the longer boundary. Arshdeep Singh is stationed perfectly in the deep and completes another safe catch. Shahrukh walks back for 4 off 6 balls as wickets continue to tumble, tightening the screws further in this chase.

Washington Sundar departs

Vijaykumar Vyshak delivers again with a clever change of pace as Washington Sundar holes out. It’s a slower ball dug into the surface outside off, and Sundar waits, even hops slightly, trying to generate power for the big shot. But he fails to get the timing right, sending it straight towards the fielder in the deep. Arshdeep Singh stays composed and takes a clean catch. Sundar departs for 18 off 16 balls, with two boundaries, as another wicket falls at a crucial stage.

Butler caught by Bartlett

Yuzvendra Chahal strikes again and removes Jos Buttler! Floated up enticingly, Buttler looks to clear the field but doesn’t quite get hold of it. The ball goes high towards the deep, and Xavier Bartlett positions himself well to complete a safe catch. Buttler departs for 38 off 33 balls, with three fours and two sixes, as another crucial wicket falls.

Glenn Phillips departs

Vijaykumar Vyshak strikes at a crucial moment as Glenn Phillips departs! It’s a well-disguised delivery that forces Phillips into a mistimed shot, and he ends up hitting it straight towards the fielder. Marco Jansen keeps his eyes on the ball and completes a safe catch. Phillips walks back after a brisk 25 off 17 balls, with a four and a six, as another key wicket falls just when momentum was building.

Chahal bags the Gujarat Titans captain

Yuzvendra Chahal gets the breakthrough as Shubman Gill holes out! Tossed up invitingly once again, Gill looks to go big after finding the boundary earlier, but doesn’t get the desired timing this time. The ball goes high towards the outfield, and Cooper Connolly settles under it to complete a safe catch. Gill departs for a well-made 39 off 27 balls, laced with six boundaries, giving his side a solid start before falling against the run of play.

GT 62/1 at Powerplay as Gill leads a steady start against PBKS

Gujarat Titans reached 62/1 in 6.3 overs against Punjab Kings, continuing a composed start after the early loss of Sai Sudharsan. Shubman Gill anchored the innings with a fluent 28, while Jos Buttler began to find rhythm after a cautious start. Despite Marco Jansen’s early breakthrough, PBKS struggled with consistency in lengths. GT capitalized on loose deliveries, maintaining a strong run rate as they build a solid platform heading into the middle overs.

GT 37/1 after early jolt as Jansen dismisses Sudharsan

Gujarat Titans are 37/1 after 4 overs against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur, recovering steadily after an early setback. Marco Jansen provided the breakthrough by dismissing Sai Sudharsan for 13, caught by Shreyas Iyer. Despite the wicket, GT have maintained a healthy run rate above nine, with Jos Buttler at the crease looking to rebuild. PBKS bowlers are keeping things tight, but the pitch still appears good for batting as the innings progress.

Shubman Gill smashes the first boundary of the match

Arshdeep Singh comes to bowl the first over, and Shubman Gill and Sai Sudarshan come to pen for GT. In the very first over, Gill punched the ball for four runs.

Who is Ashok Sharma?

Gujarat Titans have introduced two debutants in this match Glenn Phillips and Ashok Sharma. The young pacer is regarded as one of India’s quickest emerging bowlers and was previously part of the Rajasthan Royals setup, although he never got a game. His selection by GT comes as little surprise after he impressed with raw pace, touching speeds of 150 kmph during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, marking him as a talent to watch.

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI)

Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, M Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Ashok Sharma, Mohammed Siraj

Punjab Kings (Playing XI)

Prabhsimran Singh(w), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

PBKS win toss, opt to bowl first against GT in Mullanpur clash

Punjab Kings have won the toss and opted to bowl first against Gujarat Titans in their IPL 2026 encounter at Mullanpur. Captain Shreyas Iyer backed the chasing trend, citing favorable conditions and past matches where targets were successfully chased. The pitch looks good for batting, as noted by Shubman Gill, with recent rain having minimal impact. With a strong GT lineup featuring Buttler and Rashid, and PBKS banking on their bowling attack, an exciting contest is on the cards.

Pitch report of Mullanpur

The Mullanpur surface is likely to produce plenty of runs tonight. While the boundaries are moderate in size, the straight boundary stands at around 71 metres. Notably, two of the three matches here have already seen 200-plus first-innings totals, both successfully chased. There’s some cloud cover overhead, but rain isn’t expected to interrupt play.

GT vs PBKS preview

Match 4 of IPL 2026 sees Gujarat Titans take on Punjab Kings at Mullanpur. GT will bank on their balanced squad and disciplined bowling unit, while PBKS aim to exploit familiar conditions with an aggressive top order. The pitch is likely to be batting-friendly initially, with dew influencing the chase. Powerplay execution and death-over bowling could be decisive in this tightly poised contest.