IPL 2026 Points Table: Where do Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings Stand After Match 4?

The wait is finally over, and the TATA IPL 2026 has hit the ground running! On Tuesday night, March 31, the cricket world witnessed a classic “edge-of-the-seat” thriller at the new Mullanpur Stadium. It was the Punjab Kings (PBKS) taking on the Gujarat Titans (GT) in a battle that kept everyone guessing until the very last over.

If you missed the action, don’t worry. We’ve got the full breakdown of the match, the updated IPL 2026 points table, and a look at the new hero who is already being called the “find of the season.”

The Match 4 Summary: A Night of New Stars

When Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to bowl first, he knew the pitch at New Chandigarh would offer something for the bowlers. His decision proved to be a masterstroke.

First Innings: Titans Struggle to Find Rhythm

The Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, started steadily but couldn’t quite explode. Gill top-scored with a solid 39 off 27 balls, but the Punjab bowlers—especially Vijaykumar Vyshak (3/34) and the veteran Yuzvendra Chahal (2/28)—kept things very tight. Despite late cameos from Jos Buttler (38) and Glenn Phillips (25), the Titans were restricted to 162/6.

Second Innings: The Cooper Connolly Show

Chasing 163 looked easy at first, but a mid-innings collapse triggered by Prasidh Krishna (3/29) saw Punjab slip from 110/2 to 118/6.

Just when fans thought the game was slipping away, Cooper Connolly, playing in his very first IPL match, stood tall. The 22-year-old Australian didn’t look like a debutant at all. He played with a calm head, smashing 72 off just 44 balls*, including 5 massive sixes. He finished the game with a boundary, securing a 3-wicket win for Punjab with 5 balls to spare.

IPL 2026 Points Table: Updated Standings (April 1, 2026)

After the result of Match 4, the leaderboard has seen some interesting shifts. Punjab Kings have officially opened their account, while the Gujarat Titans are looking to bounce back.

Key Takeaways from the Standings

1. Punjab Kings Enter the Top 4

By winning their opening game, Punjab Kings have jumped straight to the 4th spot. While it’s very early in the tournament, starting with a win is massive for morale. Their NRR of +0.509 is healthy, but they’ll need to maintain this consistency as they head to Chennai for their next big clash.

2. Gujarat Titans: Work to Do

The Titans are currently sitting at 7th place. Losing their first game isn’t the end of the world, but Shubman Gill will be disappointed that his bowlers couldn’t defend 163. Their NRR is -0.509, which they will hope to fix in their next home game at Ahmedabad.

3. Rajasthan Royals Stay King of the Hill

Thanks to their massive win over CSK earlier this week, RR remains at the top with an incredible NRR of +4.171. They are the team to beat right now!

The “X-Factor”: Who is Cooper Connolly?

If you haven’t heard the name before, you’ll be hearing it a lot now. Signed for ₹3 crore, many wondered if the young Aussie would get a chance. Not only did he get a chance, but he batted at No. 3 and showed why the Punjab scouts were so high on him. His ability to handle the pressure during the “Prasidh Krishna collapse” was the difference between a win and a loss.

What’s Next in IPL 2026?

The action doesn’t stop here. Today, April 1, we have another massive game as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) face off against the Delhi Capitals (DC). Since both teams are playing their first match, the winner will likely push one of the top teams down the table.

Our Prediction: If LSG wins big, they could even challenge Mumbai Indians for the 3rd spot!