Cooper Connolly Sets Record IPL Century Despite PBKS Loss

Cooper Connolly produced a standout performance with the bat, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Punjab Kings from slipping to a third consecutive defeat as Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a 33-run win in the 49th match of IPL 2026.

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SRH posted a daunting 235/4 after strong contributions from their top four, leaving Punjab with a steep chase that proved out of reach despite Connolly’s heroics.

Connolly’s Record-Breaking Century

Punjab’s chase got off to a disastrous start, losing both openers for just four runs. The middle order also struggled, as the side slumped to 63 for 4 under pressure from SRH’s bowling attack.

Amid the collapse, Connolly stood firm at one end, counterattacking with intent. The 22-year-old brought up a brisk half-century before carrying on to complete a remarkable unbeaten 107 off 59 balls, taking the innings deep.

At 22 years and 257 days, Connolly became the youngest overseas player to score an IPL century, surpassing names such as Quinton de Kock and David Warner.

Youngest Overseas IPL Centurions:

22y 257d – Cooper Connolly
23y 122d – Quinton de Kock
23y 153d – David Warner
23y 330d – David Miller
23y 352d – Cameron Green

Punjab Fall Short Despite Fightback

Despite Connolly’s unbeaten hundred, Punjab Kings finished on 202/7, falling short after their early setbacks. Contributions from Marcus Stoinis and Suryansh Shedge offered some resistance, but the target remained beyond reach.

Earlier in the match, SRH’s batting unit delivered a commanding display. Abhishek Sharma set the tone with a quick 35 off 13 balls, while Travis Head added 38 to maintain momentum.

The innings was then built around a composed 55 from Ishan Kishan, before Heinrich Klaasen accelerated with a 69. A late push from Nitish Kumar Reddy ensured SRH finished with one of the highest totals of the season.

Points Table Impact

The result saw Punjab Kings drop their third straight game, costing them the top spot in the standings. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad moved to the summit with 14 points from 11 matches.

Playoff Scenario

Despite the setback, Punjab stay well-placed in the playoff race. With four matches remaining, they require two more wins to secure a place in the top four.

However, the team will be aiming higher, targeting a top-two finish to gain an additional opportunity to reach the final. After narrowly missing out on their maiden IPL title in 2025, Punjab Kings will be determined to go one step further this season.