Cooper Connolly Makes IPL History with Unbeaten Century Despite Loss
Historic Performance by Cooper Connolly
In a remarkable display of talent, Cooper Connolly made headlines on Wednesday (May 6) during the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, even as Punjab Kings (PBKS) faced defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The 22-year-old cricketer scored an impressive 107 runs off 59 balls, remaining not out, but his team fell short by 33 runs, losing their position at the top of the standings. Connolly's innings included seven fours and eight sixes, achieving a strike rate of 181.36.
Cooper Connolly's Milestone Achievement
Youngest Overseas Player to Score an IPL Century
With this performance, Connolly etched his name in the record books as the youngest overseas player to score a century in IPL history. He is the first non-Indian cricketer to reach this milestone before turning 23, surpassing the previous record held by South African star Quinton de Kock, who achieved this in 2016 while playing for the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). Additionally, Connolly is now recognized as the youngest Australian to score a century in the IPL, breaking David Warner's record set 16 years ago.
Youngest Centurions for PBKS
Youngest Centurions for PBKS in IPL
| Player | Age | Runs | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| Cooper Connolly | 22 years, 257 days | 107* | SRH | Hyderabad | 2026 |
| Prabhsimran Singh | 22 years, 276 days | 103* | DC | Delhi | 2023 |
| Priyansh Arya | 23 years, 202 days | 103 | CSK | New Chandigarh | 2025 |
| David Miller | 23 years, 330 days | 101 | RCB | Mohali | 2013 |
| Shaun Marsh | 24 years, 324 days | 115 | RR | Mohali | 2008 |
Connolly's Unique Record
Fourth Player to Score a Century in a Losing Cause
In an unusual twist, Connolly became the fourth player in IPL history to score a century while his team was chasing and ultimately lost the match. He is the first player from PBKS to achieve this feat and the youngest to do so. Previously, only Rohit Sharma had scored a century in a losing effort while remaining unbeaten in the second innings of an IPL match, and this is the first occurrence of such a feat outside of Mumbai.
Players Scoring Centuries in Losing Causes| Player | Runs | Team | Opponent | Venue | Year | Age |
| Yusuf Pathan | 107* | RR | MI | Mumbai (Brabourne) | 2010 | 27 years, 116 days |
| Sanju Samson | 119 | RR | PBKS | Mumbai (Wankhede) | 2021 | 26 years, 152 days |
| Rohit Sharma | 100 | MI | CSK | Mumbai (Wankhede) | 2024 | 36 years, 350 days |
| Cooper Connolly | 105* | PBKS | SRH | Hyderabad | 2026 | 22 years, 257 days |
Connolly's IPL Journey So Far
This season marks Connolly's debut in the IPL, having been acquired for ₹3 crore during the auction. He currently stands as PBKS' leading run-scorer, amassing 377 runs in 10 matches with an impressive average of 53.85 and a strike rate of 171.36, including two half-centuries along with his recent century.