NEW DELHI – Cricket fans witnessed a slice of history at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Cooper Connolly, the 22-year-old spinner from Australia, delivered a five-wicket spell that set social media alight, especially in India, where over 2 million people watched the match.

Cooper Connolly’s performance not only rewrote the record books but also captured the imagination of a country where cricket is followed with unmatched passion. Social feeds and living room debates buzzed with talk of his skill as Australia handed South Africa a crushing defeat by 276 runs.

Cooper Connolly, bowling left-arm orthodox, finished his six overs with impressive figures of 5 for 22. That spell handed Australia a win, even though South Africa won the series 2-1, and made Connolly the first Australian spinner to take a five-wicket haul against South Africa in ODIs.

He broke a 38-year-old record, surpassing Craig McDermott as the youngest Australian with a five-for in one-day internationals, and bettered Shane Warne’s best against the Proteas. For Indian followers, who have long cheered talents like Ashwin and Jadeja, Connolly’s confidence and clever changes of pace drew plenty of admiration.

The match offered plenty for Indian cricket fans. Australia powered their way to 431 for 2, thanks to big innings from Travis Head (142 from 103 balls), Mitchell Marsh (100), and Cameron Green (an unbeaten 118 from just 55 balls). Their 18 sixes fell one short of the ODI record against South Africa, set by England in 2023.

Cooper Connolly

#Cooper Connolly Trending in India

Many fans in India watched into the early hours on JioStar, quick to compare Australia’s aggression to famous Indian batting sprees, like the 317-run win over Sri Lanka in 2023. Online discussions focused on Australia’s strong showing at the crease, with hashtags such as #AUSvSA and #CooperConnolly trending high in India.

Connolly’s star moment arrived when South Africa tried to chase the enormous target. The Proteas batsmen had few answers to Australia’s bowlers. Connolly carved through their middle order, dismissing Tony de Zorzi (33), Dewald Brevis (49), Wiaan Mulder (5), Corbin Bosch (17), and Keshav Maharaj for his first ODI five-for.

His removal of Brevis stood out, setting up a catch for Cameron Green at long-on. Connolly’s bow-and-arrow celebration thrilled the Mackay crowd and quickly went viral online in India, with fans enjoying his visible enthusiasm. “Cooper Connolly is a vibe! That celebration was epic,” said one X user, echoing many others.

The number of viewers in India reached over 2 million, with sources from broadcast partners confirming the swell in interest. The event again showed the incredible reach of cricket in India, where supporters stay up late for key matches regardless of the location.

JioStar provided nine-language coverage and easy streaming for phones, helping more people tune in from across the country. Even though it was already late evening in India, fans made sure not to miss what many called a “spin clinic”.

Indian analysts, including former spinner Harbhajan Singh, praised Cooper Connolly’s mix of pace and flight, drawing parallels with Jadeja’s early days.

Cooper Connolly

The X-Factor

Cooper Connolly’s quick rise to fame has surprised many. Only last year, he led Australia’s Under-19 World Cup side. His heroics for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League, including a speedy 25 from 11 balls in the 2022-23 final, put him in the spotlight.

A strong showing in the 2023-24 Sheffield Shield final, where he scored 90, helped him gain a name as a player who can do damage with both bat and ball. Indian fans, used to stars such as Hardik Pandya, now see Cooper Connolly as similar – someone who changes games from multiple fronts.

“He’s got that X-factor. Australia’s found a gem,” commented a well-known Indian pundit.

Although Australia lost the series, the 276-run victory made a bold statement. It became their second-largest win by runs in ODIs and was South Africa’s most significant defeat, beating India’s 243-run win over them in 2023.

For Indian viewers, the dominant win called to mind their own team’s strong displays and recent Champions Trophy campaign, which set new records for viewership earlier this year. Many remembered India’s semi-final with Australia in March, when Cooper Connolly did not shine. His comeback in Mackay has since caught everyone’s attention.

Connolly’s performance has ignited discussions about the future of spin bowling in Australia. In India, it provided another reason to reflect on their tradition of top-class spinners and sparked excitement at seeing a new star develop.

With the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, Connolly becomes a player to follow. His bow-and-arrow celebration may soon be a regular feature in highlights packages. For now, more than 2 million cricket fans in India enjoyed a Sunday filled with excitement and watched a new chapter in international cricket play out.