Mullanpur, 31 March. After the tightness of the bowlers, Tata Indian Premier League (IPL-19) first entrant Australian Cooper Connolly’s stormy fifty (72 not out, 44 balls, five sixes, five fours) came in handy for the defending champions Punjab Kings (PBKS) and the hosts defeated Gujarat Titans (GT) by three wickets with five balls to spare in a thrilling clash here on Tuesday night.

Chahal and Vijaykumar GT stopped at 162 runs

Gujarat Titans, forced to bat first at the Maharaja Yadvindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, failed to go far in front of pacer Vijaykumar Vishak (3-34) and leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (2-28) and were reduced to six wickets due to sporadic efforts from other batsmen including captain Shubman Gill (39 runs, 27 balls, six fours) and Jos Buttler (38 runs, 33 balls, two sixes, three fours). Could reach 162 runs.

In response, 22-year-old Connolly, who came in at number three, stayed at the wicket till the end and hit an attractive fifty and made useful partnerships with other batsmen to take Punjab Kings to the destination, which scored 165 runs for seven wickets in 19.1 overs.

Became a batsman for the first time in four matches ‘Player of the Match’

The interesting fact is that the home teams have won all four matches played so far. However, last night Rajasthan Royals defeated Chennai Super Kings at their other home ground i.e. Guwahati instead of Jaipur. In the first four matches, the team chasing the target emerged victorious after winning the coin toss. Yes, there was definitely a difference that for the first time a batsman (Cooper Connolly) instead of a bowler became the ‘Player of the Match’.

Cooper and Prabhasimran added 76 runs in 49 balls.

For Punjab Kings, who were chasing the common target, Connolly and Prabhsimran Singh (37 runs, 24 balls, four sixes, one four) made a strong partnership of 76 runs on 49 balls for the second wicket.

score card

Rashid Khan broke this partnership by returning Prabhsimran in the 10th over, while other bowlers including Prasidh Krishna (3-29) removed four batsmen in quick intervals including captain Shreyas Iyer (18 runs, 11 balls, two sixes) (6-118).

Connolly, along with Yansen and Bartlett, ensured victory.

But Cooper ensured the team’s victory by making 26 runs with Marco Jansen (nine runs, 10 balls, one six) and then unbroken 21-run partnerships with Xavier Bartlett (11 not out, five balls, one six). He hit the winning four on the first ball of Washington Sundar in the last over.

Only Shubman and Butler could show some strength

Before this, Shubman along with Sudarshan made a fast start and took the score to 35 runs in just three overs. However, Yansen got rid of Sudarshan (13 runs, 11 balls, two fours) as soon as he started attacking.

On the other hand, Gill and Butler continued to attack and with the partnership of 46 runs, the score reached 83 in the 10th over. But when Chahal returned Gill, no big partnership could develop. Chahal also dismissed Butler while Visak did not allow other batsmen to go away.

wednesday match : : Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals (Lucknow, 7.30 PM).