Cooper Connolly, one of Australia’s fastest-rising all-rounders, has finally landed his maiden IPL contract after being sold to Punjab Kings (PBKS) for Rs 3 crore at the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The 21-year-old entered the auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore and, after going unsold in the initial rounds, attracted renewed interest before Punjab sealed the deal.
Long-awaited IPL breakthrough
Despite being a highly rated international cricketer with Test, ODI, and T20I debuts for Australia, Connolly had never played in the IPL prior to this auction. In fact, this was his first successful IPL auction, making the Punjab Kings deal a major milestone in his young career.
At the start of the auction, franchises such as Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans were reportedly monitoring him, but hesitation over role clarity saw him remain unsold initially. Punjab Kings later moved decisively, snapping him up for Rs 3 crore.
Rapid rise in Australian cricket
Connolly’s ascent has been swift and impressive. Over the 2024–25 season, he debuted across all three international formats for Australia, underlining the faith selectors have placed in his all-round potential.
He made his Test debut in February 2025 against Sri Lanka, following earlier appearances in white-ball cricket during 2024.
Big Bash League star
Connolly first caught widespread attention in the Big Bash League (BBL) with the Perth Scorchers:
- Played a crucial role in the 2022–23 BBL final, scoring 25 off 11 balls to help Perth clinch the title
- In the 2024–25 BBL season, he was named joint Player of the Tournament, highlighting his consistency and match-winning impact
His ability to contribute with both bat and ball has made him a valuable T20 asset.
Strong domestic credentials
In red-ball cricket, Connolly has also shown promise. He made an impressive first-class debut in the 2023–24 Sheffield Shield final, scoring 90 runs, proving his temperament on the big stage.
International career snapshot
So far, Connolly’s early international numbers underline his all-round value:
- Tests: 1 match, 4 runs
- ODIs: 8 matches, 94 runs at 31.33, highest score 61*, 6 wickets at 22.83
- T20Is: 6 matches, limited batting opportunities, 1 wicket
While still developing at international level, his skill set and adaptability stand out.
Why Punjab Kings invested Rs 3 crore
Punjab Kings’ decision to sign Connolly reflects their intent to add:
- A young overseas all-rounder with international exposure
- A player comfortable in high-pressure T20 situations
- Flexibility across formats and roles
At Rs 3 crore, PBKS see Connolly as a medium-term investment with significant upside rather than an immediate marquee starter.
What lies ahead
IPL 2026 will mark Cooper Connolly’s IPL debut, offering him a chance to translate his BBL and international promise onto the league’s biggest stage. With Punjab Kings backing him, Connolly now has the platform to establish himself as a regular overseas option in the IPL.
For PBKS, this is a calculated bet on talent, versatility, and future potential—and for Connolly, it’s the opportunity he’s been waiting for.
