Debutant cooper connolly

New International Cricket Stadium: Debutant Cooper Connolly hit his maiden half-century as Punjab Kings chased down the target of 163 runs in 19.1 overs and registered a three-wicket win, quelling a great comeback by the Gujarat Titans in their opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the PCA's New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Tuesday.

Chasing 163, the Punjab Kings had an early setback when impact player Priyansh Arya was dismissed for 7 off 8 balls in the second over by Kagiso Rabada.

Opener Prabhsimran Singh then counter-attacked, hitting back-to-back sixes off Rabada in the fourth over. Connolly joined the charge, smashing two sixes as Punjab reached 55/1 at the end of the Power-play. The duo continued to score freely, adding 76 runs for the second wicket and taking the team close to 100.