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Cooper Connolly scores 72* on IPL debut for PBKS
Mullanpur | April 1, 2026
Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly made a stunning debut in the Indian Premier League. He scored an unbeaten 72 runs for the Punjab Kings against the Gujarat Titans. As a result, he entered the list of top IPL debut performers.
Brilliant Debut Performance
Connolly played with confidence from the start. Moreover, he controlled the innings with smart shot selection.
He remained unbeaten on 72 runs. Therefore, he guided Punjab Kings to a successful chase.
Among Top IPL Debut Scores
His knock is now among the highest scores on IPL debut.
The list is led by Brendon McCullum, who scored 158* in 2008. Meanwhile, Michael Hussey and Shaun Marsh also feature in the top rankings.
In recent years, Kyle Mayers scored 73 on debut. Now, Connolly’s 72* places him just behind that mark.
Match Summary
Gujarat Titans posted a total of 162/6.
Jos Buttler scored 39, while Shubman Gill added 38 runs.
In reply, Punjab Kings chased down the target with 165/7 in 19.1 overs. Connolly led the chase brilliantly.
Chahal Creates Another Record
During the same match, Yuzvendra Chahal achieved a major milestone.
He became the highest wicket-taker in IPL middle overs. He now has 138 wickets between overs 7 to 15.
Additionally, he moved ahead of Ravindra Jadeja, Piyush Chawla, and Amit Mishra in this list.
Connolly Reacts After Match
After winning Player of the Match, Connolly shared his thoughts. He said he was excited to play in the IPL.
Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of team performance. He also mentioned that working with coach Ricky Ponting helped improve his game.
He added that he prefers playing according to the match situation rather than hitting too many sixes.
Strong Finish by PBKS
Punjab Kings stayed calm during pressure moments. Even after a mini collapse, they remained confident.
As a result, they secured an important win in the tournament.
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