Cooper Connolly has made a dramatic statement in his first IPL season, moving past Sri Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya to become the leading six-hitter by a batter in their debut campaign. Playing for Punjab Kings (PBKS) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at home, Connolly struck three sixes as part of a brisk 37 off 22 balls, yet his effort couldn’t prevent PBKS from falling short in a match where RCB defended 222/4 to win by 23 runs.
Key takeaways
- Cooper Connolly overtook Sanath Jayasuriya to lead the debut-season chart for most sixes by a batter.
- In the PBKS vs RCB game, Connolly’s 37 off 22 included three fours and three sixes, at a strike rate of 168.18.
- RCB posted 222/4 after Virat Kohli (58 off 37) and Devdutt Padikkal (45 off 25) combined for a 76-run start.
- PBKS were restricted to 199/8, with RCB winning by 23 runs despite a 67-run fightback from Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh.
- With nine wins and four defeats, RCB finished the league phase in a clear playoff position on 18 points, while PBKS face a near-impossible qualification scenario.
Connolly’s debut burst and the six-hitting milestone
Connolly’s six-hitting surge has lifted PBKS expectations this season. He delivered the defining knock during PBKS’ home clash with RCB, scoring 37 off 22 balls with an aggressive mix of boundaries—three fours and three maximums—at 168.18. The timing of his innings mattered too, as PBKS were chasing 223 after a top-order slump.
So far in the tournament, Connolly has also emerged as PBKS’ leading run-scorer. He has amassed 473 runs across 12 innings at an average of 47.30, striking at 162.54. His tally includes one century and two fifties, with his best score being an unbeaten 107*. In total, he has struck 32 sixes and 39 fours in the competition.
The benchmark Connolly has surpassed belonged to Sanath Jayasuriya. In the inaugural IPL season in 2008, Jayasuriya hit 31 sixes while playing for Mumbai Indians (MI). He went on to be the third-highest run-getter, finishing with 514 runs from 14 innings at 42.83, with a strike rate of 166.34. That season also featured a century and two fifties, including a top score of 114*.
RCB’s innings: Kohli and Padikkal set the platform
In the match itself, PBKS chose to bowl first. RCB lost Jacob Bethell early for 11, but Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal built momentum with a 76-run partnership. Kohli struck 58 off 37 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes, while Padikkal made 45 off 25 with four boundaries and three maximums.
Kohli then continued his strong run, notching his fourth fifty of the season. The momentum carried into the third wicket as he added 60 runs with Venkatesh Iyer, who finished with 73* from 40 balls, including eight fours and four sixes. Tim David provided late acceleration too, contributing 28 off 12 balls with two fours and two sixes, helping RCB reach 222/4.
For PBKS, Harpreet Brar was the standout with the ball, taking 2/35 as RCB set a demanding total.
PBKS chase: early wickets, then a Stoinis–Shashank resurgence
When PBKS began their chase, the start quickly turned sour for the home side. Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya and captain Shreyas Iyer fell in quick succession, with the team losing three top-order batters within a span of 19 runs. Even with contributions from Connolly (37) and Suryansh Shedge (35 off 22 balls, featuring two fours and two sixes), PBKS slipped to 93/5 by the 10th over.
Hope returned in the middle overs through a counter-attacking 67-run stand for the sixth wicket between Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh. Stoinis made 37 off 25, striking through five fours, while Shashank hammered 56 off 27 balls with four boundaries and four sixes. Still, RCB held their nerve from there and limited PBKS to 199/8 in their 20 overs, sealing a 23-run win.
Rasikh Salam Dar led the bowling attack for RCB with 3/36, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar added 2/38.
Playoff picture: RCB secure position, PBKS need help
With this result, RCB have cemented their playoffs spot, finishing the league phase with nine wins, four losses and 18 points, sitting at the top of the table. PBKS remain in fourth place but have now endured a sixth consecutive defeat.
Qualification scenarios have tightened for PBKS. They need their teams immediately around them—Rajasthan Royals (RR), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)—to win at most one of their remaining matches, otherwise PBKS’ route to the fourth playoff spot closes. If that unlikely combination of results falls into place and PBKS win their final game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), they would finish on 15 points, edging ahead of the rivals competing for the last berth.
