Connolly hits first ton but Sunrisers knock Punjab off top spot

[Reuters]

Cooper Connolly scored his first T20 century but Sunrisers Hyderabad still inflicted a third consecutive defeat on Punjab Kings and replaced them at the top of the Indian Premier League.

Australian Connolly, 22, made 107 not out from 59 balls but Punjab still finished 33 runs short in pursuit of 236 in Hyderabad.

Sunrisers capitalised on dropped catches and piled up 235-4 on another fine batting track, with fearsome opening partnership Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head putting on 54 in 21 balls.

After Abhishek fell for 35 and Head 36, Ishan Kishan hit 55 from 32 balls.

South African Heinrich Klaasen added a further 69 from 43 to take top spot in the leading run-scorers list from India opener Abhishek.

Priyansh Arya was then caught for one off the bowling of Sunrisers and Australia captain Pat Cummins in the first over of the chase.

Prabhsimran Singh followed in the second over for three and captain Shreyas Iyer in the fourth for five.

That left Connolly to play a lone hand, striking seven fours and eight sixes, but the visitors were never truly in the chase.

Punjab, who are coached by Australia legend Ricky Ponting and topped the league phase last year before losing in the final, were unbeaten through their first seven matches in this year's tournament but are now a point behind new leaders Sunrisers.

Two points separate the top five teams in the standings, with Chennai Super Kings two points further back in sixth.

[BBC]