Mullanpur: Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer provided a reassuring update on his wrist injury after his side secured a thrilling victory over Gujarat Titans in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 opener. Despite a brief injury scare during the match, Iyer confirmed that his hand is “fine” and played down concerns.
Injury scare during tense chase
The incident occurred during the second innings when a powerful drive from debutant Cooper Connolly struck Iyer on the wrist at the non-striker’s end. The impact forced the PBKS captain to briefly leave the field for medical attention, raising concerns among fans and teammates.
Speaking after the match, Iyer addressed the injury cautiously, stating, “All I can say about the hand is that it is nice, same as it was before, I do not want to jinx anything.” His response suggested that while the blow was painful, it does not appear to be serious.
Connolly shines on IPL debut
The match turned into a memorable outing for Connolly, who delivered a composed and match-winning performance under pressure. The young Australian scored an unbeaten 72 off 44 balls, guiding PBKS to a three-wicket win with five balls to spare.
Chasing a target of 163, PBKS appeared in control at 110/2 before a sudden collapse saw them slip to 118/6. A brilliant spell from Prasidh Krishna (3/29) brought Gujarat Titans back into the contest, putting the pressure firmly on the chasing side.
However, Connolly held his nerve and anchored the innings with maturity beyond his years. His calculated strokeplay and ability to rotate strike ensured that PBKS stayed on track despite losing wickets at crucial moments.
Praising the youngster, Iyer said, “Cooper has got a great mindset and I hope he continues his form. I have seen him play for Australia. Some of the shots he played were surreal to watch, especially the one off Rashid.”
Bowlers set up the win
Earlier in the match, PBKS bowlers played a crucial role in restricting Gujarat Titans to 162/6. Captain Shubman Gill (39) and Jos Buttler (38) got starts but failed to convert them into big scores due to lack of sustained partnerships.
The bowling effort was led by Vijaykumar Vyshak, who picked up 3/34 in his four overs. He was well supported by veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who returned figures of 2/28.
Iyer lauded Vyshak’s performance, highlighting his ability to deliver in key moments. “Vyshak is carrying forward the form he showed last season. He is a big match player,” the PBKS skipper remarked.
Staying calm under pressure
Reflecting on the tense moments during the chase, Iyer emphasised the importance of composure in the IPL. While he was off the field receiving treatment, wickets fell in quick succession, threatening to derail the innings.
“I was focused on my hand, icing it, and suddenly we lost two wickets back to back. These things happen in the IPL. You have to stay composed. Cooper was there, he was composed and calm,” he said.
Connolly echoed similar sentiments, revealing that there was no panic in the dressing room despite the collapse. He credited the team environment and calm communication for helping them cross the line.
Connolly reflects on breakthrough performance
Named ‘Player of the Match’, Connolly described his debut as a special experience and credited his recent break for helping him reset mentally.
“I had a couple of weeks at home after the T20 World Cup. It was a refresh and reset, spending time with family and friends. That helped me come into the IPL fresh,” he said.
He also spoke about his batting approach, describing himself as a “tempo player” who prefers to build an innings rather than relying solely on big hits. Working with head coach Ricky Ponting has also contributed to his early success.
Conclusion
Punjab Kings have started their IPL 2026 campaign on a positive note, securing a hard-fought win despite moments of adversity. While the injury to Shreyas Iyer briefly raised concerns, his reassuring update will come as a relief to fans and the team management.
With a promising debut from Cooper Connolly and strong contributions from both batters and bowlers, PBKS will look to build momentum as the tournament progresses.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News Karnataka staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)