Cooper Connolly's 68 off 43 gave Punjab Kings genuine hope. The overseas batter took the fight to Gujarat's bowlers with brutal intent, and at the halfway mark of the innings, the chase looked within reach. But Marco Jansen's economy—just 20 runs off his four overs—proved the difference. When Connolly fell in the 16th over, looking for another boundary, Punjab lost their spine. The middle order had no answers to Jansen's length bowling.

Gujarati never pulled away, though. Shubman Gill's scratchy 39 off 27 and Jos Buttler's 38 off 33 showed they were uncomfortable themselves. Washington Sundar's tidy spell (1/23) and Rashid Khan's composure in the death (1/29) kept Punjab in the hunt. The target of 163 was gettable, and Prabhsimran Singh proved it with a quick 37 off 24. But Punjab couldn't find the acceleration at the death when it mattered most.

The turning point came in the 18th over. With 24 needed from 12 balls and two wickets in hand, Punjab's batters got bogged down. Whether it was a tight delivery or poor shot selection, the dot balls arrived when boundaries were needed. One run separated the teams at the end—a margin that summed up a match neither side truly dominated. Gujarat held their nerve when Punjab blinked.