When Josh Inglis was released by Punjab Kings, it raised quite a few eyebrows. The goalkeeper was a key figure in Punjab’s late rise last season and helped them reach the final. Seeing him leave the side was a surprise.
Then came the uncertainty of his IPL availability – how many matches he would play and if he would play at all. Eventually, Inglis moved to Lucknow Super Giants, leaving Punjab to search for a new No.3.
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Ricky Ponting has once again turned to the Big Bash League, putting his faith in Cooper Connolly. Punjab even took on Kolkata Knight Riders to ensure the all-rounder for the Rs. 3 crores.
PBKS vs GT, IPL 2026: Highlights | Scorecard
But with Australian recruits comes the lingering “BBL tax”. Over the years, several outstanding performers from the Australian T20 league have tried to replicate their success in India. The likes of Jhye Richardson, D’Arcy Short and Matthew Short came with big reputations but failed to leave a lasting mark in the IPL.
Connolly’s numbers in the BBL are solid. In 34 matches for the Perth Scorchers, he scored 786 runs at an average of 30.23 and a strike rate of 137.41. With the ball, he took 27 wickets from 28 innings at an economy rate of 6.85 and an average of 18.26.
Good numbers? Yes. Good enough for the IPL? Maybe not.
Which is why the clash against Gujarat Titans was like an acid test. Connolly didn’t bowl and when he got to No.3, Punjab had already lost Priyansh Arya early.
He took a few deliveries to settle in before taking on the GT bowlers – reminiscent of Inglis during his time with the franchise. There was control, composure and a clear temperament.
“It was a bit of a refresher for me. I had a few training days at home. I spent some time with family and friends. I decided to reset and go into the IPL as fresh as possible,” Connolly said of his pre-tournament preparation.
That reset proved crucial, especially after Punjab suffered a mini-collapse that threatened to derail their innings.
Yet there was no panic in Connolly’s demeanor. He seemed to understand that it would only take a few clean hits to get the momentum back.
“I was very relaxed out there. I still felt we were in a really good position in the game. Marco was pretty calm and so was Xavier,” Connolly said.
THE SHAUN MARSH EFFECT
Cooper Connolly holds Shaun Marsh in high esteem. Courtesy: Reuters
When you think of Punjab’s earlier days as Kings XI Punjab, Shaun Marsh is a name that immediately stands out. Despite the franchise never winning a title, Marsh’s contributions remain etched in the memory of IPL fans.
The left-hander scored 2477 runs in 71 matches and remains a franchise legend.
For Connolly, Marsh is more than just a former great – he is an idol and a mentor. His batting approach clearly influenced Connolly’s game.
“He’s someone I can approach and talk about cricket and his approach. More than anything, it’s the way he plays, what I try to model my game on, how he takes chances in every format, his timing and his ability to find the boundary. For me, it’s about approaching him when the time is right.”
“He was really good to me. I always enjoyed watching him bat and even now I go back to his highlights, especially his hundreds. It’s about picking certain attributes from his batting and trying to incorporate them into my own game because he was world class,” Connolly said ahead of the IPL.
REDUCTION OF RASHID KHAN
An excellent aspect of Connolly’s innings against GT was the ease with which he handled Rashid Khan. While the Afghan spinner has not been at his best of late, he remains one of the most dangerous bowlers in the IPL with 159 wickets from 137 matches.
It never looked like Connolly stood up to him the first time. In the 12 balls he played against Rashid, he scored 22 runs, including a boundary and two sixes.
Both sixes were hit straight down the ground with minimal fuss, underscoring his confidence and clarity.
“It’s good to see him take on Rashid Khan even though Rashid Khan is not at his best these days. But for a young cricketer or a young batsman like him, it was exemplary to set the tone for the run. I think it’s no wonder that Ricky Ponting is really backing this young and exciting talent,” said Saba Karim.
Ponting’s presence could be crucial in unleashing Connolly’s true potential in the IPL.
“Ricky kept me nice and calm and collected, just say play your game mate and go out there and dominate,” Connolly said after the game.
If Connolly can stay grounded and continue his natural game, Punjab may have found someone who can offer even more than Inglis. Perhaps the last piece in their long-running quest for an IPL title.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
1 Apr 2026 09:29 IST
