IPL 2026 [WATCH]: Cooper Connolly pulls off a gravity-defying diving catch to send Jason Holder packing in GT vs PBKS encounter

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad bore witness to a high-octane thriller on Sunday, as Gujarat Titans (GT) squared off against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 46th match of the IPL 2025 season. While the match ultimately swung in favour of the Titans, the night belonged to a moment of individual brilliance that defied the laws of physics. In a game defined by narrow margins and shifting momentums, the highlights reel found its crown jewel in the young Australian sensation, Cooper Connolly.

Cooper Connolly takes a sensational airborne catch to remove Jason Holder during GT vs PBKS clash

With Gujarat Titans cruising toward a target of 164, the 19th over turned into a theatre of the unexpected. Arshdeep Singh, steaming in for the 18.5 delivery, bowled a crafty back-of-a-length ball that seemed to grip the surface just enough to deceive the batter. Jason Holder, looking to finish things in style, swiped aggressively across the line.

For a fleeting second, the Ahmedabad crowd held its breath as the ball soared toward the cow corner boundary. It lacked the necessary elevation, but it had enough distance to clear most fielders, except Connolly.

Racing in from the deep, Connolly showcased elite athleticism. He didn’t just run; he glided across the turf before launching into a full-stretch, horizontal dive. Snatching the ball inches from the grass, he slid on his stomach, holding the white leather aloft to confirm the dismissal. It was a gravity-defying moment that momentarily silenced the GT faithful and provided a glimmer of hope for Punjab. Holder was forced to depart for 5 (7b), leaving the Titans momentarily rattled in the final stretch.

Here’s the video:

CAUGHT HIM!!!! 🙌

🎥 A fantastic catch by Cooper Connolly to make things interesting 🫣

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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 3, 2026

Holder’s four-wicket haul drives GT to a dominant victory over PBKS

Despite his late dismissal, Holder was undeniably the architect of Gujarat’s success. Earlier in the evening, Holder dismantled the Punjab Kings’ batting lineup with a masterclass in T20 seam bowling. Finishing with clinical figures of 4/24 in 4 overs, Holder’s bounce and discipline proved too much for the PBKS middle order.

The Kings’ innings got off to a disastrous start, losing Priyansh Arya and Connolly (for a duck) within the first three balls of the match to Mohammed Siraj. While Suryansh Shedge played a blistering knock of 57 off 29 balls (3×4, 4×6) and Marcus Stoinis chipped in with a steady 40, Holder’s constant breakthroughs ensured PBKS never truly took flight. Holder accounted for the crucial wickets of Shreyas Iyer (19), Nehal Wadhera (0), Stoinis, and Xavier Bartlett, restricting Punjab to 163/9.

The chase was anchored by Sai Sudharsan, who showcased his class with a composed 57 off 41 balls. Alongside captain Shubman Gill (5) and Jos Buttler (26), Sudharsan laid the foundation. However, the game tightened as wickets fell, and it required a calm 40 off 23 balls from Washington Sundar to steer the ship.

In the end, Gujarat Titans crossed the line at 167/6 with just one ball remaining, securing a 4-wicket victory. While Connolly’s catch will be the most shared clip on social media, it was Holder’s Player of the Match performance that ensured the Titans walked away with two vital points in the race for the playoffs.

Also WATCH: GT’s ace pacer Mohammed Siraj strikes twice in two deliveries to derail PBKS in IPL 2026 encounter