A clumsy middle-over meltdown kicked life into what seemed like a canter for Punjab Kings at one stage and ignited hopes of a heist for Gujarat Titans. From 110 for 2, PBKS free-fell to 118 for 6, thanks chiefly to Prasidh Krishna’s three-wicket burst. But IPL debutant Cooper Connolly demonstrated his maturity with an unconquered 72 to help PKBS sneak home by three wickets.
Connolly, the hero
The blond-haired Australian’s nerves did not snap. From a juncture of absolute control, he saw his side crumble and teeter on the edge. He saw his teammates squander their wickets. He felt the run rate and pressure mounting. But in the 16th over, with PBKS requiring 42 to win from 30 balls on a sluggish deck against a revived bowling group, he counterpunched Kagiso Rabada, one of the most feared bowlers around.
He cut the first ball for four to complete his half-century before he fetched a short ball from outside the off-stump through mid-wicket for a six.
The 12-run over shifted the momentum and PBKS kept their poise to wrap up the game. Raised in Perth, Connolly idolised the enigmatic stylist Shaun Marsh, whose unfulfilled career sang a parody of his gifts. But Connolly is cast in the mould of Shaun’s brother Mitchell, albeit left-handed, packed with compelling force. He scratched around for fluency, often over-hitting the deliveries. But once he thundered Rabada over long-on with a flat swipe, he hit his straps and unlocked a range of frightful strokes. He slashed, sliced, and slapped his way to a half-century on debut.