The idea of Cooper Connolly batting at number three, ahead of Shreyas Iyer, seemed ludicrous. Apart from being the Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain, Shreyas had averaged over fifty while striking at over 180 at the position. Yet, reports suggested that Connolly would replace Josh Inglis at three in the opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
Scepticism around batting position
Well, the reports were correct. But anyone doubting Connolly was proven wrong. You see, there was a viable reason to question the decision. In the lead-up to the IPL, the 22-year-old was in career-worst form. He scored 14 runs in 2 innings in the T20 World Cup 2026. Before that, he scored just 1 run in 3 innings in Pakistan. His performance was abysmal, to say the least.
Then there was the issue that Connolly had batted just 14 times at number three in his T20 career. But Shreyas and Ricky Ponting, head coach of PBKS, backed him. Perhaps because Punter had seen the youngster up close, since both are Australian. Whatever the reason was, it wasn’t a shock that many were sceptical. Not to forget, he was yet to make his IPL debut.
Stuns on IPL debut
Well, the punt worked. Connolly didn’t just play a cameo but remained unbeaten in a tricky chase against the Gujarat Titans (GT). He blasted in the powerplay, 26 (17), knowing the surface would aid the bowlers with the older ball. Attacked Rashid Khan, whom he hadn’t faced in his career.
When wickets started tumbling after Prasidh Krishna’s entry in the 13th over, he realised it wasn’t the right time to attack. He waited for the right time. When the weaker link of GT’s bowling, Kagiso Rabada, returned in the 16th over, Connolly took him down. He struck 2 boundaries and registered his maiden half-century on his IPL debut.
In a 163-run chase, a fifty in just 34 balls is what you want. With ample support from Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett, PBKS chased the target down with 5 balls remaining and 3 wickets in hand. And guess what? It was Connolly who ended the chase with a boundary.
He was named ‘player of the match’ for his unbeaten 72 (44), with Shreyas describing watching him bat as ‘surreal’. Asked about how he handled the pressure of the chase, Connolly stated that he wasn’t too worried. Just tells you why Shreyas was impressed by the 22-year-old.
“To be honest, not a lot was said. It was sort of relaxed out there. We still felt like we were in a really good position to win the game. Marco was pretty calm, so was Xavier,” he said in the post-match interview.
Highest score on IPL debut
158* – Brendon McCullum (KKR) vs RCB, 2008
116* – Michael Hussey (CSK) vs KXIP, 2008
84* – Shaun Marsh (KXIP) vs Deccan, 2008
73 – Kyle Mayers (LSG) vs DC, 2023
72* – Cooper Connolly (PBKS) vs GT, 2026
Cricket
Shreyas Iyer fined Rs 12 lakhs after PBKS' IPL 2026 opener against Gujarat Titans
