Punjab Kings started their IPL 2026 campaign in style with a wicket win over the Gujarat Titans in Match 4 at Chandigarh. The home side outclassed their rivals in every department of the game to clinch three crucial points and take a good lead in the points table of the ongoing season.Â
Vyshak Vijaykumar bowled a clinical spell of 34/3 for Kings and played a crucial role in restricting Titans to a modest total. In the batting department, Australian batter Cooper Connolly played a half-century knock to propel his side to victory.Â
Dominant Bowling Display by Punjab Kings
Through a disciplined bowling performance, Punjab Kings held Gujarat Titans to a relatively low score of 162/6 in their home ground at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. Deciding to bat first, GT got a great start from Shubman Gill (39) and Sai Sudharsan as they put up 54/1 in the powerplay. However, the game turned on its head after Yuzvendra Chahal (2/28) and Vyshak Vijaykumar (3/34) together strangled the run flow in the middle overs.
The Titans’ innings were a bit of a struggle as they looked very disinterested and also made some doubtful decisions, like the promotion of Washington Sundar, which kept their power hitters waiting. Buttler and Phillips scored some before getting out, so the lower order was left with plenty of work to do. Only managing three boundaries in the last six overs, GT failed to accelerate their innings, which set up PBKS with a target of 163 for their first win of the season.
Shaky Run Chase From Punjab Kings
Chasing an easy target, Punjab started in style. Despite Priyansh departing early, Prabhsimran Singh and Connolly held the crease and crafted a good partnership. Despite the fumble in the middle order, the Australian youngster helped his mark from one side and guided his side to the ultimate win.Â
The 22-year-old scored 72 of 44 balls and ended the game by a boundary with five balls to spare. Prabhsimran played a handy knock of 37 runs in 24 balls.Â
