Cooper Connolly’s debut wasn’t about noise, it was about nerve.
With Punjab Kings slipping from 110 for 2 to 118 for 6, Prasidh Krishna had flipped the game. Connolly responded with an unbeaten 72, laced with five fours and five sixes, and guided the chase home with five balls to spare.
The IPL has always had a soft spot for debuts that arrive fully formed. Some explode, some endure, some simply refuse to follow the script. Connolly now joins that list.
Brendon McCullum — The night that set the tone (2008)
The IPL’s opening act still feels unreal. 158* off 73, 10 fours, 13 sixes. It didn’t just win a game, it defined the league’s appetite for spectacle.
Michael Hussey — Method meets mayhem (2008)
Chennai’s first outing saw Hussey marry precision with power. 116* off 54, a total of 240, and an early lesson that dominance didn’t have to look reckless.
Gautam Gambhir — Chase, calculated (2008)
Amid the fireworks, Gambhir offered a different template. His unbeaten 58 off 46 anchored a simple chase, nine wickets in hand, no drama required.
Swapnil Asnodkar — Burst of intent (2008)
Jaipur’s first taste of IPL cricket came at pace. 60 off 34, boundaries flowing, setting up Rajasthan’s big total and a comfortable win.
Owais Shah — Quiet authority (2010)
Two years in, the league had settled into its rhythms. Shah’s 58* off 46 wasn’t loud, but it controlled the game, guiding KKR to an 11-run win.
Devdutt Padikkal — Composed start in the desert (2020)
In the UAE, Padikkal’s 56 off 42 was all balance and placement. A debut that hinted at longevity more than flash, setting up RCB’s win.
Kyle Mayers — Power with purpose (2023)
By now, power was the default language. Mayers’ 73 off 38 against Delhi was clean hitting with intent, a chase shaped by authority.
Published on Apr 01, 2026