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Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer was fined Rs 12 lakh after his team maintained a slow over-rate during their IPL match against the Gujarat Titans. Punjab Kings defeated GT by three wickets to start their IPL 2026 campaign on a winning note. "As this was his team's first offence of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPL's Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, Iyer was fined INR 12 lakhs," stated a media release.

Pacer Vyshak Vijayakumar and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal shared five wickets among them as PBKS limited GT to 162 for six. Despite a stuttering batting effort, Punjab went past the line in 19.1 overs. Young Australian batter Cooper Connolly led them home with an unbeaten 72 off 44 balls.
Young southpaw Connolly marked his IPL debut with a decisive 44-ball 72 after Chahal's artistry with the ball to power Punjab Kings to a three-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans here on Tuesday.

After PBKS opted to field first, leg-spinner Chahal (2/28 in 4 overs) brought his years of experience to the fore to stymie GT in the middle overs and limit them to 162/6. Seamer Vijaykumar Vyshak grabbed 3/34 for PBKS.

After almost losing their way with the bat due to Prasidh Krishna's (3/29 in 4 overs) excellent bowling, PBKS completed the chase of 163 with five balls to spare. Connolly and Prabhsimran Singh (37 off 24 balls) laid the foundation for the win with a 76-run partnership for the second wicket.
Earlier, skipper Shubman Gill (39 off 27 balls) and Jos Buttler (38 off 33 balls) were the chief contributors for GT in an insipid batting display.
PBKS' start was not good as Kagiso Rabada cramped Priyansh Arya for room with his pace and line to dismiss the opener after debutant fast bowler Ashok Sharma went back a few steps to pull off a good catch at midwicket.

Connolly and Prabhsimran then meant business as they professionally went about their task to keep their team ahead, the two hitting a flurry of fours and sixes to flatten the GT bowlers.

Rashid Khan gave GT hope with the wicket of Prabhsimran, the batter failing to clear Prasidh Krishna at long-on.

Shreyas Iyer pulled Ashok Kumar's short balls over deep square-leg for two sixes, but shortly after taking a solid hit off his partner Connolly's shot, the PBKS captain flicked a Prasidh Krishna half-volley to Washington Sundar at deep mid-wicket.

Sundar removed Nehal Wadhera, and Krishna dismissed Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis in quick succession to bring GT back into contention.
But Connolly was there to see PBKS home, hitting five sixes and as many fours during his knock.