Connolly Highlights Star Scorchers in the IPL

The left-hander smashed an unbeaten 107 from just 59 balls to break Quinton de Kock’s decade-old record.

Connolly’s innings capped a superb debut IPL campaign for Punjab Kings, despite his side falling 33 runs short against Sunrisers Hyderabad in what was a top-of-the-table clash at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

Chasing 236 for victory after an explosive opening stand from Sunrisers pair Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, Connolly produced a brilliant counterattack, finishing as the standout performer in Punjab’s 7-202.

Entering the final over on 95, Connolly brought up his maiden IPL century in style with a flamboyant pull shot off spinner Shivang Kumar.

Despite his heroics, Australian captain Pat Cummins claimed player-of-the-match honours after taking 2-34 from his four overs.

Connolly’s record-breaking century was the highlight of an outstanding maiden IPL campaign that also featured scores of 72 against Gujarat Titans and 87 against Lucknow Super Giants earlier in the season.

Across the tournament, he compiled 491 runs to finish third overall in Punjab’s run-scoring tally, an impressive return in his first IPL season.

Scorchers player-by-player recap IPL 2026 

Mitch Marsh (Lucknow Super Giants)

While it was a tough tournament for Lucknow Super Giants, Scorchers opener Marsh couldn’t have done much more to help his side’s cause. Marsh’s brute power was on full display through the tournament, finishing as the leading Australian run scorer on 563 at 43.30. His campaign was highlighted by a blistering 111 from 59 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Ekana Cricket Stadium earlier in the season. He backed that up with a further two scores above 90 through the tournament.

Josh Inglis (Lucknow Super Giants)

Inglis’ campaign was limited to just five matches due to his wedding in the first half of the tournament, but his class was on full display when he did play. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter formed a strong opening combination with Marsh for the Super Giants. With his 266 runs at 53.20, Inglis, like Marsh, did everything in his power to keep the Super Giants playoff hopes alive. His 85 off 33 deliveries against Chennai was his standout knock of the tournament.

Finn Allen (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Power hitter Finn Allen carried the form that helped the Scorchers to a championship-winning season into his stint with Kolkata Knight Riders, amassing 349 runs across 11 innings at a strike rate of 214.11. In his inaugural IPL campaign, Allen made an immediate impact, highlighted by his maiden IPL century, an unbeaten 100 from 47 balls against Delhi Capitals at Arun Jaitley Stadium.

David Payne (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

An ankle injury restricted the BBL|15 Final Player of the Match to just two appearances for the Pat Cummins-led Sunrisers Hyderabad. After taking two wickets in the opening match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, the crafty left-armer’s campaign was cut short and will subsequently miss Gloucestershire’s Blast campaign in the UK.