Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans, Match 4 Match Summary

Until next time - That’s all from this game, where last season’s finalists, the Punjab Kings get the better of Gujarat Titans, setting the tone early in the season. Now, only two teams remain to take the field - Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, who will battle it out at the Ekana Stadium on 1st April, Wednesday. The match will begin at 2 pm GMT (7.30 pm IST), and as always, you can join us early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Undoubtedly, it is Cooper Connolly who wins the award for his match-winning 72* off 44. He says he was simply eager to get out there and share the field with world-class players. He adds that starting the season with a win was exactly what the side wanted. On his build-up, he describes it as a reset through a couple of practice days at home, time with family and friends, and a conscious decision to walk into the IPL as fresh as possible. Connolly says range hitting is not quite his thing. He identifies as a tempo player who relies on feel and lets his hands do the work rather than chasing big hits. He speaks warmly about his time working with Ricky Ponting, calling the first five days great and saying he is looking forward to what lies ahead in the tournament. On what was being said in the middle when the chase got difficult, Connolly reveals he kept it brief. He says that he felt calm and still believed the side was well placed. Details that Marco Jansen was composed, and Xavier Bartlett came out with a big smile on his face, which said it all. Connolly adds that the time he has spent with Xavier before made that partnership feel natural. On his favourite shot of the night, Connolly points to his battle with Rashid Khan, admitting it was their first encounter. He says he enjoyed every bit of it and is glad he could contribute for the side. He adds that he is looking forward to the rest of the tournament.

The victorious skipper of Punjab Kings - Shreyas Iyer says that he does not want to jinx anything and hopes that his hand will be fine. Adds that it was a pleasure to watch Cooper Connolly play some of those shots. To hit a bowler like Rashid Khan so cleanly and neatly takes a special talent. Iyer shares that he was more focused on his hand when they lost a couple of wickets quickly, and it got a bit tense but these things happen in cricket. He had the belief in Cooper, who was set and had a great mindset, already doing similar things for Australia. Mentions that after the 3rd over, they realised the wicket was on the slower side and bowling into the wicket and slower ones was the way to go here. Iyer praises Vijaykumar Vyshak and says he is carrying his form from last year's final and it is great to see him perform consistently. He admits he was a bit surprised when Gill placed a short-leg for him but also reckons it is good to see the captains attacking.

Presentation Time...

Let's hear from Xavier Bartlett - On hitting a six against Prasidh Krishna, Bartlett says he was anticipating the short ball and set himself up accordingly. He reveals a quick chat with Connolly at the other end, who was batting well and kept the message simple - pick up the ball, and if it's in your zone, go for it. Bartlett is glad it came off. Detailing about Buttler's catch that he took at long on, Bartlett credits that to the hours he puts into his fielding, and traces some of that athleticism back to his football days growing up. He says he timed the jump well and was glad it stuck. On the win, he calls it a great feeling to open the season with a victory at home, adding that playing in front of the Punjab crowd made it sweeter.

The captain of Gujarat Titans - Shubman Gill appreciates a strong bowling effort but concedes the side lost its grip in the final four to five overs, allowing the runs to flow too freely. Gill reveals the dressing room read the pitch as a 170-180 surface, not a 200-plus one. He says the target felt within reach at one stage but wickets kept falling at the wrong time and the side failed to bat through the back end. On the conditions, he notes the older ball made it hard to hit straight, with the pitch offering little pace and even less grip in the second innings. Gill explains the ball got wet due to rain during their bowling, which killed the grip off the surface and made it harder to contain in the second innings. Bishop asks Gill whether Prasidh Krishna was brought into the attack a little too late. To which, Gill concedes he could have brought Prasidh on earlier but insists the side stayed in the game till the end and there will always be questions in hindsight. He backs Ashok Sharma, saying he bowled well both up front and at the death, and believes the youngster will only grow in value with more game time. Gill speaks warmly of him as a hard worker and a fine fielder, adding that a camp meeting a couple of months ago left him genuinely impressed. Signing off, Gill keeps his message to the team simple - well done, hard luck, stay intense, keep giving everything.

Late surge not enough for GT - Gujarat can take plenty of positives from their bowling effort, though Shubman Gill might feel he missed a few tricks with his changes. Rabada did provide the early breakthrough but proved a bit expensive, while Rashid Khan was back to his economical best and chipped in with a wicket as well, even as they were largely chasing the game. The tide began to turn when Gill introduced Prasidh in the 13th over, and he made an instant impact, picking up three wickets in quick succession to give them a real sniff. One could argue he might have been brought on earlier, but the damage done prior to that meant the Titans ultimately didn’t have enough to get over the line.

PBKS take charge after GT slip - Earlier in the game, Gujarat Titans posted a total that felt below par on this wicket. None of their batters managed to convert starts, with Gill and Buttler both falling in their 30s, while Phillips chipped in with a cameo. However, the lack of meaningful partnerships through the middle overs meant the innings lost momentum badly, and they were unable to finish with a late flourish as well. Jansen and Chahal were the chief damage-causers with the ball for PBKS, combining for figures of 3/48 in their 8 overs. Vijaykumar Vyshak was also outstanding, picking up a three-fer while operating in the tougher phases of the innings.

Debut delight for Connolly - Despite losing Arya early, Punjab got off to a strong start through Connolly and Prabhsimran Singh, with both showcasing their class and power to add over 50 in the Powerplay and 76 in total before Singh was dismissed. Iyer then joined the Australian in the middle and the duo stitched together another solid stand, making the chase look straightforward. However, the tide turned when Iyer took a blow on his right hand from Cooper and fell on the very next ball. Punjab suddenly slipped from 110/2 to 118/6, but the positive for them was that Connolly was still at the crease. He kept his composure, bringing up his maiden IPL fifty on debut in fine fashion and ensured he guided his side over the line, staying unbeaten on 72 off 44, with Jansen and Xavier Bartlett also playing handy supporting roles.

PBKS edge a twisted tale - Punjab Kings kick off their campaign with a win, but my word, they made it far harder than it needed to be in what turned out to be a thriller filled with twists and turns. They will be more relieved than delighted, having let things slip into a tricky situation, and the middle order will certainly come under scrutiny. Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, fought back admirably to turn it into a contest, but will feel it just slipped away from them in the end, with Cooper Connolly standing tall for the Kings on his debut.

FOUR! That's it! A poetic end to what has been an extremely competitive game of cricket in New Chandigarh. And it is the 22-year-old Aussie who stands tall at the end, repaying his team’s faith at number three with a debut knock that will be remembered for a long time. Sundar fires it in, full and on the off stump line. Cooper Connolly presses forward and executes a high-quality cover drive, through the gap between cover and point for a boundary to finish things off in style. Cooper Connolly stays unbeaten on 72 off just 44 balls. PUNJAB KINGS WIN BY 3 WICKETS!

We are going to the last over! Punjab Kings need just 2 runs to win now. Can Washington Sundar pull off something special here?

An attempted yorker, aimed at the toes. Cooper Connolly nicely nudges it down to long on for a single and retains the strike. 14 runs from Prasidh Krishna's last over. He ends his spell with figures of 4-0-29-3.

Short and outside off, with a bit of pace taken off. Xavier Bartlett drags it across and aerially with a pull shot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tries the yorker, but it ends in a low full toss, on middle. Cooper Connolly laces it through covers for a single.

FOUR! JUST OVER! Pace off and short into the bodyline. Cooper Connolly waits for the ball to arrive, and pulls it. Hits it more off the top edge, but he manages to clear the fielder at short fine leg and finds the fence. The Kings are in touching distance of getting a famous win. 5 needed from 9 balls.

Pitched a little fuller, on off, Xavier Bartlett gets on the front foot and drives it to short cover where Kagiso Rabada makes a fumble while diving, and allows a single.

The ball has been lost. The umpire selects a replacement now. With that clutch shot, the Kings are ahead once again.

SIX! Bartlett says, I can sort this out, mate! Krishna goes into the pitch at pace, on top of off. Xavier Bartlett waits on it, stands tall and confidently pulls it flatly behind deep mid-wicket for a cracking six. That is such a magnificent shot by the tailender. 150 UP FOR PUNJAB KINGS! 10 needed off 11 balls now.

Straighter and fuller, on middle, Bartlett flicks it through square leg for a single.

At pace and on a length in that corridor outside off, Bartlett leans forward and eases it with soft hands, guiding it through mid-wicket for a couple. Rashid charges in from deep mid-wicket but cannot cut it off cleanly, and the batters are up and running for the second.

Number 7 goes down for Punjab Kings. Xavier Bartlett is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Thrown into the furnace, Ashok Sharma has provided a crucial breakthrough and has justified his captain's trust in him. A slower ball from Sharma, on a length, outside off. Marco Jansen backs away a bit to create room to go up and over cover, but ends up hitting it early and half-heartedly. Chips it to the right of cover where Shubman Gill takes a fine catch under pressure. Punjab Kings are 144/7, needing 19 runs from 14 balls.

Good comeback by the debutant! Hard length, at 141.8 kph, on top of off. Marco Jansen stands tall and bunts it watchfully back to the bowler.

WIDE! Tries to keep the ball away from the arc, but Ashok misses his radar completely and sprays it beyond the tramline. Marco lets it be. Wide given. 19 needed off 16 balls.

Play and a miss! Short of a good length, fairly outside off. Marco Jansen looks to smash it past cover, but misses as the ball nips away from him. A precious dot ball.

Back of a length, on off. Cooper Connolly throws everything at it, trying to pull, but slices it over mid off for a single.

Change? Yes, Ashok Sharma (2-0-26-0) comes back into the attack now.

A bit of a harsh call and Gujarat Titans straightaway opt for a review for a wide given. Seeing Jansen shuffling outside leg, Prasidh rolls his fingers on the leather and bangs it short, outside off. Marco lets it pass and a wide is signalled. The revised guideline confirms that the ball is passing well within that and it is deemed a fair delivery.

Spears one on a fuller length, on middle. Cooper Connolly tries to whip it over square leg, but inside edges onto the front pad. The ball rolls in front of square on the off side and they cross over for a single.