Ricky Ponting’s ₹3 Crore auction masterstroke: Cooper Connolly announces IPL arrival with stunning 72 for Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "Ricky Ponting’s ₹3 Crore auction masterstroke: Cooper Connolly announces IPL arrival with stunning 72 for Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans")
Cooper Connolly announces IPL arrival with stunning 72 for Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans Photograph: (BCCI)
The Aussie all-rounder was bought by Punjab Kings, coached by former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, for INR 3 crore in mini auction in December 2025 ahead of the IPL 2026.
The IPL 2026 match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Gujarat Titans (GT) in New Chandigarh on Tuesday (Mar 31) saw a new Australian star announcing his arrival on the biggest stage. PBKS' all-rounder Cooper Connolly scored 72 unbeaten runs off just 44 balls on his IPL debut and rescued his team from a mid-match collapse. PBKS eventually won three wickets in chase of 163 in 19.1 overs and Connolly was rightfully awarded Player of the Match (POTM) award. Connolly, a highly talent and looked after player in Australia, showed his pedigree as his team succumbed to 118/6 from 83/1 in space of about 30 balls, thanks to fiery spell by GT's Prasidh Krishna.
Who is Cooper Connolly?
Cooper Connolly is a highly rated Australian all-rounder who has played all three formats for the Australian national team. He was born in Perth in 2003 and modeled himself after former Aussie batter Shaun Marsh. Connolly bats left handed and bowls left-arm orthodox spin as well. He captained Australia U-19 at 2022 ODI World Cup which was followed by a deal from Peth Scorchers in the Big Bash League (BBL).
Cooper Connolly in BBL Final 2023
In his second T20 innings only, Connolly hit 11-ball 25 not out with one four and two sixes to lead Perth to BBL title in Feb 2023 vs Brisbane Heat.
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He made his First Class debut for Western Australia an year later, in March 2024, and made 90 in his maiden innings. A white-ball debut for Australia followed in September 2024 on tour of England and Scotland. He was also handed the Test debut in Feb 2025 on tour of Sri Lanka.
Overall, he has played 1 Test, 8 ODIs, and 11 T20Is for Australia, scoring 4, 94, and 28 runs respectively, and taking 6 & 3 wickets in his ODI and T20I career as well.
Cooper Connolly in IPL 2026 auction
The Aussie all-rounder was bought by Punjab Kings, coached by former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, for INR 3 crore in mini auction in December 2025 ahead of the IPL 2026.
