Punjab Kings (PBKS) suffered another defeat in the IPL 2026 group stage. In the early stages of the season, PBKS looked undisputed. But as the tournament progressed, he started losing his rhythm. On 6 May, Cooper Connolly played a brilliant innings for Punjab Kings, but it went in vain as the home team, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) claimed a crucial win at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
Cooper Connolly recorded a century, his first in the Indian Premier League. He touched the hundred run mark in the last over of the match. The Australian all-rounder, who came to bat at number three, remained unbeaten after scoring 107 runs facing 59 balls. His innings was studded with seven fours and eight sixes and his strike rate was 181.36.
Cooper Connolly’s heroic fight was in vain
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s decorated batting line-up performed as a unit in tonight’s match. Hence, they got a huge score of 235 runs in 20 overs for the loss of only 4 wickets. Apart from Cooper Connolly, the rest of the PBKS batting line-up could barely put up any significant resistance against the SRH bowling attack.
As a result, despite a brilliant innings from Connolly, Punjab Kings brutally lost the contest. SRH won by 33 runs. In reply to Hyderabad’s 235, PBKS managed to score 202 runs, with more than half of the runs coming from the bat of Cooper Connolly.
Cooper Connolly now holds multiple IPL records for PBKS
Through his century, Cooper Connolly has also registered his name in the record books as a Punjab Kings batsman. At the age of just 22, this was his world-class batting performance. Before the tournament, cricket fans recognized him mostly as a spinner who could add some runs with the bat.
But it is seen that the emerging talent has also developed his batting skills. According to data published by Cricbuzz, after Chris Gayle, Connolly is now the second best batsman to score a century for the Punjab-based franchise. It is also noteworthy that he is now the first Punjab Kings batsman to hit eight sixes in an innings as a 22-year-old batsman.
Highest score for PBKS vs SRH in IPL
104* – Chris Gayle, Mohali, 2018
107* – Cooper Connolly, Hyderabad, 2026*
99* – Shikhar Dhawan, Hyderabad, 2023
96 – Hashim Amla, Mohali, 2016
Fans react to Connolly’s century:
There is no doubt that Sunrisers Hyderabad played a good game but Cooper Connolly had a brilliant innings He must be feeling like this:#SRHvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/qnGN9hQdhE
– Aware Indian (@Aware_India7) 6 May 2026
Cooper Connolly is doing what Shaun Marsh did for Punjab in 2008. Cooper Connolly has performed well for Punjab under pressure. He has been a very good choice by Punjab Kings
– Shivansh Rajpal (@rajpalshiv46534) 6 May 2026
Cooper Connolly! What a mistake, CSK.
– notlamine (@not_lamine) 6 May 2026
At the age of 22, Cooper Connolly joins an elite list with his maiden century for Punjab Kings
– 107*(58)
– 7 fours and 8 sixes
– Strike Rate: 181.35The talent is shining but no results for the Kings.
This was also the first century of his career pic.twitter.com/Le7Y9T4IpH
-TheWicketReport (@WicketReport) 6 May 2026
Hundred for Cooper Connolly…!!!
First IPL century for the youngster, he is making a big impact for PBKS. pic.twitter.com/u2tLrM7UQt
– Free Hit (@THEFREEHITHQ) 6 May 2026
Remember the name: Cooper Connolly.
First IPL century.
First T20 century.This is how you announce yourself on the big stage.#SRHvPBKS #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/MEhIR3fSgS
– Ministry of Cricket (@MOCricket_) 6 May 2026
READ MORE: Cooper Connolly pulls off a sitter as Ishan Kishan survives SRH vs PBKS clash
