Liveblog - Punjab Opt to Bowl as Gill’s Titans Eye Big Total in New Chandigarh
The stage is set in New Chandigarh, where the Punjab Kings have opted to bowl first after winning the toss against the Gujarat Titans in what promises to be a high-scoring contest.
There’s immediate intrigue in the team sheets. Punjab are going with a strong overseas core featuring Marcus Stoinis and Marco Jansen, while Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett add fresh energy to the lineup. On the other side, Gujarat have handed debuts to Ashok Sharma and Glenn Phillips, leaving out the experienced Jason Holder.
At the toss, Shreyas Iyer sounded confident about chasing, revealing that practice games at this venue have seen totals comfortably hunted down. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill noted the pitch had been under covers but still looked promising for batting.
The pitch dimensions add another layer to the contest—short square and fine boundaries could invite aggressive stroke play, while the longer straight boundary might test timing and placement. Pitch-side, Michael Clarke expects plenty of runs, suggesting the toss may not play a decisive role.
With big hitters, debutants, and a batting-friendly surface in play, all signs point to an entertaining start asthe Gujarat Titans prepare to set the tone.
Gill sets the tone, but Punjab keep it tight early
It’s been an evenly poised start in New Chandigarh as Gujarat Titans move to 54 for 1 at the end of the powerplay against Punjab Kings.
Shubman Gill has looked in sublime touch, holding his pose after a crisp lofted drive straight down the ground—an early statement of intent on what appears to be a batting-friendly surface. However, despite the elegance, the scoring rate hasn’t quite taken off, keeping Punjab very much in the contest.
The early breakthrough came via a soft dismissal. Sai Sudharsan, after being hurried by a sharp 141 kph bouncer, fell trying to capitalise on a fuller delivery, only to mistime it straight to mid-off. It was a telling moment that highlighted the pitch’s dual nature—true for strokeplay, but still offering enough zip to trouble batters.
There were signs right from the start that this could be a high-scoring wicket. Arshdeep Singh experimented with a scrambled seam early, while Gill didn’t hesitate to step out and play his trademark lofted shots.
Punjab, though, have responded smartly. Marco Jansen cleverly took pace off in the final over of the powerplay, and Vyshak Vijaykumar has kept things tight with disciplined, back-of-a-length bowling.
With the field now spreading, all eyes shift to Yuzvendra Chahal—Punjab’s trump card in the middle overs. How and when he’s introduced could shape the next phase of this innings.
Chahal strikes, Gill departs after promising start
Just when the Gujarat Titans looked set to accelerate, Yuzvendra Chahal delivered the breakthrough, removing Shubman Gill for the fourth time in IPL history.
It was a clever piece of bowling—a slow 78 kph legbreak drifting into the batter. Gill, looking to up the tempo, dropped to one knee for the slog sweep but only managed a top edge, safely pouched at deep midwicket. Gujarat slipped to 83 for 2 in 9.3 overs.
Chahal’s approach was clear from the moment he came on. He varied his pace beautifully, forcing batters to generate their own power. Gill tried to take him on—facing five deliveries, playing three attacking shots and finding one boundary—but the risk eventually caught up with him.
Earlier in the over, Jos Buttler also flirted with danger, getting a thick inside edge while attempting to go big against the flight. The warning signs were there, and Chahal capitalised.
With Gill back in the pavilion, Punjab Kings have clawed their way back into the contest, tightening the screws just as the innings threatened to break free.
Phillips takes the risk and releases the pressure.
After a brief slowdown, Glenn Phillips decided enough was enough and broke the shackles for the Gujarat Titans.
With just six runs coming off ten deliveries, the pressure was building before Phillips took on Yuzvendra Chahal. Charging down, he launched a full delivery high and straight—risky, but just enough to clear the fielders and shift momentum.
It wasn’t without danger, though. Jos Buttler survived a leading edge that flew wide of Chahal, while Phillips himself carved one narrowly past cover. Chahal, sticking to his plan, kept it slow and teasing, constantly inviting mistakes.
At 102 for 2 after 12 overs, the innings sits delicately poised. With wickets in hand and power hitters at the crease, the big question now is—can Gujarat Titans push towards a 200-plus total from here?
Vyshak goes full and gets his reward.
Just as Glenn Phillips began to shift gears, Vyshak Vijaykumar pulled things back brilliantly for Punjab Kings.
Going fuller for most of the over, Vyshak forced Phillips to take the aerial route. Twice,e he was denied boundaries by sharp fielding at long-off, and eventually, the pressure told. Phillips went for another big hit but found Marco Jansen in the deep, who made no mistake with the catch.
Amid brief interruptions with dust and debris on the field, Vyshak stayed composed to deliver a crucial breakthrough.
At the other end, Jos Buttler is yet to fully break free. With 11 dot balls in his first 30 deliveries, he’s crawled to 38 and now carries the responsibility of accelerating the innings.
With wickets falling and the run rate under check, the Gujarat Titans face a critical phase heading into the death overs.
Bartlett ends Buttler’s struggle as GT lose momentum
It’s been a frustrating stay for Jos Buttler, and it ends just when the Gujarat Titans needed him to accelerate.
After a string of dot balls piled on the pressure, Buttler looked to break free—first attempting a reverse sweep that found point, and then charging down the track. He connected better the next time, trying to clear long-on, but couldn’t get enough distance.
Xavier Bartlett, using his height and reach to perfection, settled under a high catch to send Buttler back. Gujarat slipped to 129 for 4, and the innings continues to stall.
Much of the credit goes to Yuzvendra Chahal, who dictated the middle overs brilliantly. Mixing quicker deliveries with flight, he forced batters into mistakes, finishing with impressive figures of 2 for 28 from his four overs.
From a position of control, Gujarat have now lost their way—77 for 3 in the middle phase tells the story. The onus now shifts to the lower order to salvage a competitive total.
Rashid’s toe saves a wide—and Punjab breathe easy.
A small but crucial moment in the closing stages—and it goes Punjab Kings’ way.
Arshdeep Singh missed his mark with the final ball, spraying it down the leg side. It looked destined to be called a wide, but Rashid Khan managed to get a faint tickle off his toe, bringing it back into play.
Instead of gifting an extra run and another delivery, the accidental contact meant Gujarat had to settle for what they got. A tiny moment, but in a tight finish, those details matter—and Punjab will gladly take that bit of fortune.
Gujarat Titans post 162/6 in 20 overs.
A competitive but slightly underwhelming total on a good batting surface as the Gujarat Titans finish on 162 for 6.
Shubman Gill laid the foundation early, but regular wickets and tight middle-overs bowling from the Punjab Kings prevented any late surge. Yuzvendra Chahal’s control and breakthroughs in the middle overs proved crucial, while Vyshak Vijaykumar and Arshdeep Singh kept things in check at the death.
With the pitch playing well and shorter boundaries on offer, Punjab will feel this is a chaseable target—but Gujarat still have enough quality in their bowling attack to make it a contest.
History vs Target: 162 could be trickier than it looks
There’s an interesting twist to the chase at New Chandigarh.
The highest successful run chase at this venue is 158, which means the Punjab Kings will need to go past that mark to hunt down the Gujarat Titans’ 162.
Despite the pitch looking good for batting earlier, history suggests chasing here hasn’t always been straightforward. That adds a layer of pressure—this isn’t just about the surface anymore, but about breaking a venue record.
With a strong bowling attack featuring Rashid Khan and Mohammed Siraj, Gujarat will sense an opportunity to defend this total and make it count.
From village dreams to IPL debut: Ashok Sharma’s rapid rise
Ashok Sharma, a 23-year-old right-arm fast bowler from Rajasthan, made his IPL debut for the Gujarat Titans in 2026 after a rapid rise through domestic cricket. Hailing from Rampura near Jaipur, he nearly stepped away from the game to support his family before a standout 2025–26 season changed his fortunes, including 22 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Known for consistently clocking 140+ km/h—highlighted during the Red Bull Speedster program—Sharma earned his IPL opportunity following earlier stints as a net bowler and squad member with other franchises. A self-professed admirer of Dale Steyn, he brings raw pace and aggression as a promising new addition to Gujarat’s bowling attack.
Punjab nail the death overs with pinpoint yorkers
Punjab Kings have taken firm control at the death, executing their plans to perfection against the Gujarat Titans.
Full and straight has been the mantra—mixing yorkers with low full tosses, the bowlers have allowed just one boundary in the first two death overs. Washington Sundar briefly found a release shot off his pads, but the comeback was immediate. Trying to force the pace, he carved a wide knuckleball straight to deep point, handing Punjab another breakthrough.
Gujarat slump to 144 for 5, and the innings is slipping away fast. With disciplined execution and clever variations, Punjab are firmly on top heading into the final overs.
Yorkers hit the mark as Punjab take charge late.
Clinical execution at the death has put the Punjab Kings firmly in control against the Gujarat Titans.
The plan has been simple and effective—attack the base of the stumps with yorkers and mix in low full tosses. The result: just one boundary conceded in the first two death overs. Washington Sundar did manage to sneak one off his pads, but the pressure quickly told. Attempting to force the pace, he sliced a wide knuckleball straight to deep point, departing soon after.
At 144 for 5, Gujarat are struggling to find momentum, while Punjab continue to dominate the closing stages with disciplined, smart bowling.
Chahal, Vyshak star as Punjab restrict GT to 162
A disciplined bowling effort led by Yuzvendra Chahal and Vyshak Vijaykumar helped Punjab Kings keep Gujarat Titans to 162 for 6 despite a promising start.
The pitch looked like a belter early on as Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan came out firing, peppering the boundary with drives, pulls, and flicks. Gill, in particular, was proactive—charging down the track and taking on the bowlers, even riding his luck with a top-edged pull early on.
Jos Buttler added to the fluency with a crisp cover punch, but Punjab quickly turned to variations. Marco Jansen introduced slower balls in the powerplay, helping stem the flow as Gujarat reached 54 for 1 after six overs.
The momentum shifted sharply in the middle phase. Vyshak kept things tight with hard lengths, while Chahal spun a web. The leg-spinner lured Gill into repeated sweep attempts before finally dismissing him for 39, caught in the deep.
A period of stagnation followed—just six runs came off the ten balls after Gill’s wicket—before Glenn Phillips briefly broke the pressure with a straight six. However, the revival was short-lived as Vyshak returned to remove him with a full delivery, caught at long-off.
Buttler, bogged down by dot balls throughout his innings, eventually perished trying to clear the boundary, finishing with 38 off 33. Gujarat managed only 77 for 3 in the middle overs, a phase that ultimately defined their innings.
At the death, Punjab executed well with yorkers and slower balls, conceding limited boundaries. Arshdeep Singh’s final over was eventful—with a no-ball, wides, and reviews—but Gujarat still fell short of a late surge.
In the end, it was a collective bowling performance, anchored by Chahal’s control and Vyshak’s 3 for 34, that ensured Punjab kept the total within reach.
Rabada strikes with raw pace to dent Punjab early: Second Innings Start.
Kagiso Rabada has made an early impact, striking with sheer pace to give the Titans a crucial breakthrough.
Charging in and hitting 142 kph, Rabada banged it hard into the pitch, targeting the body. Priyansh Arya, who had started positively with a six in the opening over, looked to keep the momentum going with a pull shot—but the pace proved too much.
Rushed for time, Arya mistimed it and paid the price, handing Gujarat an early wicket just as Punjab Kings looked to get going.
Power Play: Steady start keeps Punjab on track in the chase
Punjab Kings are 55 for 1 after six overs, needing 108 runs from 84 balls against Gujarat Titans. The required rate is under control at 7.71, with the current rate a healthy 9.16.
Prabhsimran Singh has provided early momentum with 20 off 12 balls, while Cooper Connolly continues to impress on debut with a fluent 27 off 16.
There was early curiosity around Ashok Sharma’s pace, clocking between 140 and 145 kph in his opening over, showing promise straight away.
Rashid Khan has started tidily, conceding just five runs in his first over, but Punjab have ensured they stay ahead of the chase at the end of the powerplay.
Connolly and Prabhsimran take control with smart hitting
Punjab Kings are firmly on top as Cooper Connolly and Prabhsimran Singh build a confident partnership.
The approach has been measured and effective. Both batters are choosing the right deliveries to attack, keeping the scoreboard ticking while punishing loose balls. Connolly’s standout moment came with a stylish whippy slash over cover off Ashok Sharma.
Prabhsimran had a slice of luck with an LBW decision overturned on review, but made it count immediately. Dropping to one knee, he launched a spinner over long-on to keep the momentum going.
The intent is clear. Connolly followed it up with another towering hit over long-on, taking Punjab to their seventh six already by the eighth over. In comparison, the Gujarat Titans managed just three maximums in their entire innings.
With controlled aggression and confidence at the crease, Punjab are cruising in the chase.
Rashid breaks through as Prabhsimran falls.
Rashid Khan delivers a timely strike for the Gujarat Titans, ending a dangerous stand.
Prabhsimran Singh looked to take the attack to the leg-spinner, charging down the track and hitting it hard and flat. But he could not get the elevation, and the ball went straight to Prasidh Krishna at long-on.
Prabhsimran departs for a brisk 37 off 24 balls, laced with four sixes, giving Gujarat a much-needed breakthrough.
Moments later, Shreyas Iyer gets off the mark with a controlled front-foot cut to deep point for a couple. Gujarat have also brought in close catchers, with a slip and a short leg in place, signalling attacking intent from Rashid as the game enters a crucial phase.
Connolly’s straight drive leaves Shreyas Iyer in pain
A sharp moment in the middle as Cooper Connolly absolutely nails a straight drive, only to see it crash straight into his own captain.
Shubman Gill, stationed in the line of fire, had little time to react as the ball struck him hard. Play pauses briefly as he deals with the blow.
It stays a dot ball, but a painful one for Gujarat as Rashid Khan continues to keep things tight in the middle overs.
Prasidh strikes instantly, and Iyer falls after a brisk start
Prasidh Krishna makes an immediate impact, striking with his very first ball to peg Punjab Kings back.
Shreyas Iyer looked set after a quick start, but a friendly half-volley on the pads led to his downfall. Attempting to clip it away, he found Washington Sundar stationed at deep midwicket.
There’s a suggestion that the earlier blow to the hand might have played a part, as Iyer failed to keep the shot down. He departs for 18 off 11 balls, giving the Gujarat Titans a crucial breakthrough at a key moment in the chase.
Sundar strikes as Punjab wobble slightly in chase
A tidy breakthrough for the Gujarat Titans as Washington Sundar removes Nehal Wadhera.
Wadhera looked to ease the pressure but only managed to chip it straight to cover, where Shubman Gill made no mistake with a simple catch.
At 113 for 3 after 13 overs, Punjab Kings now need 50 runs from 42 balls. The required rate is still under control at just over seven, but the quick wickets have added a hint of tension to the chase.
Cooper Connolly remains key, nearing a half-century with 47 off 30 balls, and will be crucial in guiding Punjab home from here.
Prasidh strikes again as Punjab lose another.
The momentum is shifting quickly as Prasidh Krishna delivers another blow for the Gujarat Titans.
Hitting the deck hard, Prasidh extracted extra bounce, and Shashank Singh could only manage a faint edge through to Jos Buttler behind the stumps.
Shashank departs for 4 off 5 balls, and suddenly, the Punjab Kings are losing their way after being in control earlier. What looked like a comfortable chase is now turning into a tense finish.
Prasidh on fire as Punjab collapse continues: What an Impact
This is turning into a dramatic twist as Prasidh Krishna strikes again for the Gujarat Titans.
Marcus Stoinis barely had time to settle before chipping one straight to Rashid Khan, finding the fielder with uncanny precision.
Out for a two-ball duck, and suddenly Punjab Kings are in complete disarray. From cruising, they are now slipping fast, with wickets tumbling in quick succession and pressure mounting with every ball.
Connolly marks his debut with a fifty, joins Marsh in elite company
A special moment for Cooper Connolly as he brings up a fifty on IPL debut, standing tall amid the chaos around him.
In doing so, he matches the feat of his Australian compatriot Shaun Marsh, who also scored a fifty on debut for Punjab Kings.
Calm under pressure and composed in his shot selection, Connolly’s knock has been the backbone of the chase, keeping Punjab in the hunt even as wickets continue to fall at the other end.
Connolly takes 12 off the over to keep Punjab in control
Cooper Connolly continues to lead the charge for Punjab Kings, smashing 12 runs off Kagiso Rabada’s over to keep the chase firmly on track.
Just when Rabada seemed to be pulling things back, Connolly finished the over in style, swivelling on a short ball and dispatching it over deep square leg for a six. It was a confident, well-controlled pull that made full use of the angle.
At 133 for 6 after 16 overs, Punjab now need 30 from 24 balls, with the required rate still well within reach.
Stoinis falls cheaply as Punjab’s collapse deepens
The slide continues for Punjab Kings as Marcus Stoinis departs without scoring.
Prasidh Krishna kept it short of a length outside off, and Stoinis tried to get fancy with a ramp shot. But the execution wasn’t there, and he ended up guiding it straight to Rashid Khan at deep third.
Rashid barely had to move, completing a simple catch as Punjab continued to find fielders with alarming precision. What once looked like a comfortable chase has now turned into a tense battle.
Ashok strikes, Jansen falls at a crucial moment.
A big breakthrough for Ashok Sharma and the Gujarat Titans as the pressure mounts on the Punjab Kings.
Ashok smartly rolled his fingers over a back-of-the-hand slower ball at 109 kph, completely deceiving Marco Jansen. Through the shot too early, Jansen could only spoon it up, and Shubman Gill completed a neat catch inside the circle.
It’s Ashok’s first IPL wicket, and it could not have come at a bigger moment. Punjab are now deep in trouble after a collapse, and what once looked like a comfortable chase has turned into a tense finish.
Which side do you want to be on? Bartlett goes bang to swing momentum back.
Just when it looked like the Punjab Kings were slipping away, Xavier Bartlett stepped up in style.
Prasidh Krishna banged it in short, but Bartlett was ready. Clearing his front leg, he unleashed a powerful pull over deep midwicket, sending it soaring out of the ground. Pure timing and brute force.
The equation now reads 16 needed off 12 balls, and suddenly, the pressure shifts again onto the Gujarat Titans.
This game refuses to settle.
Connolly finishes it in style on debut
What a knock from Cooper Connolly. Under pressure, with wickets falling around him, he stays composed and seals the chase with authority.
Facing Washington Sundar, Connolly finds the gap and drives it for four, bringing up a match-winning finish for Punjab Kings.
A debut to remember. Calm, calculated, and clutch when it mattered most.
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