IPL 2026: Priyansh a thrill to watch, says Connolly after match-winning stand

New Delhi — Punjab Kings’ emphatic win over Lucknow Super Giants was powered by a sensational partnership between Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly. While Connolly played a crucial role in the stand, he admitted that it was Arya’s fearless batting at the other end that made the experience truly exciting.

Connolly revealed that he had a slow start at the crease and initially struggled to find momentum, even as Arya was scoring freely. The duo stitched together a match-defining 182-run partnership for the second wicket.

“I was out there for a while and was on 19 off 22. Priyansh wasn’t saying much, so I was a bit nervous. But it was great spending time in the middle with him, especially since I hadn’t batted with him before,” Connolly said in a conversation with JioStar.

Arya, meanwhile, was in explosive form right from the start, bringing up a rapid half-century in just 19 balls and taking apart the LSG bowling attack with aggressive strokeplay. His attacking approach ensured Punjab Kings kept up a high run rate, giving Connolly the time he needed to settle in.

Praising his partner, Connolly said he is eager to see more from the young batter as the tournament progresses. “He’s super exciting to watch, and I’m really looking forward to what he can do in the rest of the tournament,” he added.

Once set, Connolly found his rhythm and went on to score an impressive 87 off 46 balls. However, he admitted that he could have adjusted quicker to match Arya’s tempo.

“For me, it was about reading the game and understanding what was happening at the other end. Priyansh was scoring very quickly, and I could have adapted a bit better. But overall, it was enjoyable once I found my rhythm,” he said.

As the partnership flourished, Punjab Kings launched a fierce assault on the LSG bowlers, including a 32-run over off Aiden Markram. Their efforts powered the team past the 250-run mark — the highest total of IPL 2026 so far — eventually sealing a dominant 54-run victory with a strong all-round performance.

WIth inputs from IANS