the duo of Priyansh (left) and Connolly. Photo: PTI
The pair of Priyansh Arya and Conolly set the record for the highest team total for Punjab in the 2026 IPL. Thanks to a combined contribution of 182 runs from Punjab Kings batters Priyansh Arya (93) and Cooper Conolly (87), the team posted their highest-ever IPL total of 254 runs against the Lucknow Super Giants at Mullanpur during the 2026 season. Meanwhile, KKR secured their first victory of the 2026 IPL, aided by Rinku Singh’s return to form.
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Punjab highest score
In the IPL match between Punjab and Lucknow, Punjab appeared somewhat shaky in the early stages—particularly when Mohammed Shami sent Prabhsimran Singh back to the pavilion for a ‘golden duck’ in the very first over. For a fleeting moment, it seemed as though the pitch offered a hint of swing. However, that hope proved short-lived. Arya and Conolly quickly settled in at the crease; and once they had found their rhythm, Punjab went on to post a record-breaking total of 254 runs in IPL 2026.
By the end of the powerplay, the Punjab Kings had reached 63 for just one wicket thanks to the left-handed combination of Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly. The Lucknow Super Giants found it extremely difficult to handle the situation as they continued to apply pressure, scoring a further 28 runs in the next two overs. Ayush Badoni was brought into the attack to counter these two left-handed batsmen, but Connolly struck a four and a six off his very first two deliveries. Avesh Khan was also attacked, but Punjab was able to keep scoring runs at a steady rate without any problems.
Priyansh Arya’s calm intensity made his innings especially memorable. He changed his stance to perform a deft paddle sweep for a four against Manimaran Siddharth, with the fielders dispersed on the leg side. This fleeting moment demonstrated his situational awareness. In just 19 balls, he reached his second half-century of the year, setting the tone for the rest of the innings.
Connelly kept the game moving forward without ever coming across as hurried. He spotted the holes in the field, rotated the strike, and sent any loose deliveries to the boundary. By the eleventh over, Punjab had amassed 129 runs for the loss of just one wicket thanks to his half-century off 35 balls. Punjab hammered 16 sixes in the opening 13 overs, with Arya hitting nine of them. The score rapidly increased to 179 for the loss of one wicket when the partnership reached 176 runs.
Priyansh Arya scored runs with ease against both pace and spin in his 93-run innings off just 36 balls, which included four fours and nine sixes. The bowlers were totally confused as he continuously made them adjust their fields.
Conley made sure he didn’t fall behind in sustaining the scoring pace at the opposite end with his 87-run innings off 45 balls. He built his innings by matching Arya step for stride and hitting eight fours and seven sixes. In just 31 balls, their partnership reached fifty runs.
Rinku Singh’s return
Rinku Singh’s bat helped KKR win their first IPL match this year after a tiring seven games. At Eden Gardens, they overcame the Rajasthan Royals by 4 wickets after being saved from certain defeat by a pivotal partnership between Rinku Singh and Anukul Roy. Rajasthan scored 155/9 when batting first. With two balls remaining in the reply, KKR won the game thanks to a half-century from Rinku. Fielding, bowling, and batting all performed poorly on the day; if Rinku hadn’t saved the day in the closing seconds, they would have also lost this game.
Rinku Singh leads KKR to victory. Photo: PTI
Rinku played a measured innings right from the beginning. He had trouble scoring more than singles and twos. He once made a desperate attempt to go big against Ravindra Jadeja, but Nandre Burger, who was positioned at short third man, dropped what must have been the easiest catch. In the end, it was just this patience that kept Rinku afloat. He had failed to deliver a single noteworthy innings during IPL season. Even today, with the team in serious difficulties, he was sent out to bat at number seven. Nevertheless, he led his squad to victory from that unstable position. With five fours and two sixes in an innings of 53 runs off 34 balls, he achieved his half-century.
Without recognizing Anukul’s contribution, KKR’s victory would not be complete; without his unwavering support of Rinku during a pivotal 29-run innings off 16 balls, KKR’s victory would have been all but unthinkable.