Punjab Kings picked up a fresh Australian face at the auction. They bought Cooper Connolly IPL 2026 for ₹3 crore beating his base price easily. The 22-year-old all-rounder finally got his breakthrough contract after waiting for opportunities patiently.
His price went higher than the ₹2 crore base amount as bidding heated up. Punjab Kings needed someone to replace Glenn Maxwell. he disappointed them badly last season. Cooper Connolly’s team will be expecting big performances from him during IPL 2026 matches.
The mini auction saw 359 players hoping to get picked by different franchises. Maxwell’s release created this opening which the young Aussie grabbed with both hands. His IPL 2026 journey begins with huge expectations from Punjab’s passionate fan base now.
Why Punjab Wanted Him Bad
Cooper Connolly can bat aggressively and also bowl spin which makes him valuable. Team management loves all-rounders who contribute in multiple ways during tight games. His recent form against India caught everyone’s attention during those ODI matches.
He smashed 84 runs across two innings in the three-match ODI series recently. That performance against quality Indian bowlers proved he can handle pressure situations well enough. His Big Bash League opener saw him score 59 runs off just 31 balls.
Head coach Ricky Ponting usually prefers Australian cricketers with whom he can work easily. He fits that preference perfectly while bringing fresh energy to the team setup. Ponting probably feels he can mould this young talent into something special for 2026.
What His Numbers Say
Cooper Connolly has played 1 Test, 8 ODIs, and 6 T20Is for Australia already. His international numbers aren’t amazing yet but he’s still developing his game gradually. The price of ₹3 crore reflects potential more than proven track records.
Punjab Kings are betting on his future rather than what he’s done so far. Young all-rounders always cost extra because good ones are really hard to find nowadays. His team for IPL 2026 believes he’ll justify this investment with match-winning performances soon.
Maxwell’s poor form created this chance, which Cooper Connolly grabbed brilliantly at the auction. The Australian youngster now gets to play alongside quality cricketers in India’s biggest league. His price might seem reasonable now, but it could shoot up if 2026 goes well.
