Cooper Connolly delivered a sensational IPL debut for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their opening match of the 2026 season against Gujarat Titans (GT) on March
31 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.
Batting at No. 3 as a specialist batter (while recovering from a back issue that sidelined his bowling), the 22-year-old Australian all-rounder smashed an unbeaten 72 off just 44 balls, laced with 5 fours and 5 sixes at a strike rate of 163.63.
Chasing 163, PBKS reached the target with 3 wickets and 5 balls to spare, winning by 3 wickets. Connolly anchored the middle order brilliantly after an early wicket, blending clean striking with composure under pressure. He also contributed in the field with a key catch of GT captain Shubman Gill off Yuzvendra Chahal. His knock came on the back of his Rs 3 crore acquisition by PBKS at the 2025 auction, where his aggressive left-handed batting and all-round pedigree made him a high-upside pick despite recent form dips in T20 cricket.
This performance instantly stamped his class in the IPL arena. Coming in after Prabhsimran Singh's dismissal, Connolly got off the mark quickly with boundaries and escalated with towering sixes, particularly against pace and spin. The young Australian's composure when PBKS lost four quick wickets also catches the eye, especially for a debutant who stayed till the end to take his team home.
Top 10 Highest Scores by Overseas Players on IPL Debut
With his knock, Cooper Connolly has joined an elite list as his knock ranks 4th among overseas players with highest scores on debut. Former KKR player Brendon McCullum remains top with his revolutionary 158 in the inaugural match of IPL back in 2008.
- Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) - 158*
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, 2008 (M Chinnaswamy Stadium)
- Michael Hussey (Australia) - 116*
Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings, 2008 (PCA Stadium, Mohali).
- Shaun Marsh (Australia) - 84*
Punjab Kings vs Deccan Chargers, 2008 (Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad).
- Cooper Connolly (Australia) - 72*
Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans, 2026 (New PCA Stadium, Mullanpur).
- Kyle Mayers (West Indies) - 73
Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals, 2023 (Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow).
- Graeme Smith (South Africa) - 71
Rajasthan Royals vs Deccan Chargers, 2008 (Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad).
- James Hopes (Australia) - 71
Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings, 2008 (PCA Stadium, Mohali).
- Owais Shah (England) - 58*
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Deccan Chargers, 2010 (Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai).
- Jake Fraser-McGurk (Australia) - 55
Delhi Capitals vs Lucknow Super Giants, 2024 (Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow).
- Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) - 54
Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings, 2008 (PCA Stadium, Mohali).
- Sam Billings (England) - 54
Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 2016 (Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi).
