Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan criticised Cooper Connolly, an overseas recruit of Punjab Kings, ahead of their IPL 2026 clash against Gujarat Titans at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, March 31.
Pathan raised concerns over Connolly’s role in the team, noting that the Australian all-rounder will not bowl in the initial matches due to a back issue. According to reports, Connolly is expected to play purely as a specialist batter until the end of April to manage his fitness. The former India all-rounder expressed his disappointment, stating that once a player makes himself available for selection, such conditions should not come into play.
“It is being said that Cooper Connolly won’t bowl. This is very convenient, Cameron Green will come, but won’t bowl. Connolly will also come as a spinner, but won’t bowl. I don’t understand this. Aaye ho to pura karo (if you have come, do everything),” said Pathan on his YouTube channel.
Speaking about the match, Shreyas Iyer, captain of Punjab Kings, won the toss and opted to bowl first. PBKS, who finished as runners-up last season, will be keen to begin their campaign strongly in the 19th edition of the IPL. For this match, PBKS fielded four overseas players, Cooper Connolly, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, and Marco Jansen.
On the other hand, Shubman Gill is leading Gujarat Titans, who have included Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada, Glenn Phillips, and Rashid Khan as their overseas picks. GT have also handed a debut to Ashok Sharma. The Titans finished fourth in IPL 2025 and were knocked out in the Eliminator by the Mumbai Indians, and will now look to improve on that performance this season.
Gujarat Titans’ Playing XI:
Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, M Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Ashok Sharma, Mohammed Siraj
Impact subs: Prasidh Krishna, Jason Holder, Jayant Yadav, Manav Suthar, Kumar Kushagra
Punjab Kings’ Playing XI:
Prabhsimran Singh(w), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
Impact subs: Priyansh Arya, Harpreet Brar, Praveen Dubey, Vishnu Vinod, Suryansh Shedge
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