Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has criticized Cooper Connolly, an overseas player for Punjab Kings, ahead of their IPL 2026 match against Gujarat Titans on March 31 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.
Pathan expressed concerns about Connolly’s position on the team, explaining that the Australian all-rounder won’t bowl in the early matches due to a back issue. Reports indicate that he will only bat until the end of April to manage his health. Pathan expressed his disappointment, stating that such conditions should not arise once a player is available for selection.
“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 be here 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.
In the match, Shreyas Iyer, captain of Punjab Kings, won the toss and chose to bowl first. PBKS, who were runners-up last season, are eager to start their campaign strong in this IPL edition. They fielded four overseas players: Cooper Connolly, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, and Marco Jansen.
Shubman Gill leads the Gujarat Titans, who have selected Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada, Glenn Phillips, and Rashid Khan as their overseas players. The Titans also gave a debut to Ashok Sharma. After finishing fourth in IPL 2025 and being eliminated by the Mumbai Indians, they aim to improve their 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