IPL 2026: Australian Cooper Connolly open to batting anywhere for Punjab Kings in maiden season

Punjab Kings’ newest recruit Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly prides himself on being versatile and is open to batting at any place the workforce deems slot in his maiden IPL season subsequent 12 months.

Recognized for his aggressive batting, sharp fielding and useful left-arm spin, Connolly was snapped up by Punjab Kings for ₹3 crore on the mini-auction earlier this month.

“I wish to mannequin my sport on having the ability to be versatile in any place. So whether or not that is at three, whether or not that is within the center, I am comfortable to carry out any position,” Connolly stated at a digital media interplay on Monday (December 22, 2025).

The 22-year-old has been in sensational kind for Perth Scorchers, scoring two blistering fifties, within the ongoing Large Bash League batting at No. 3.

Nonetheless, Punjab Kings are notably eager on his means to complete video games and deal with high-pressure conditions, as highlighted by skipper Shreyas Iyer publish the public sale.

“I really feel like I am nonetheless studying the position at quantity three for the (Perth) Scorchers. It is a position I take pleasure in. But when the position within the IPL is completely different, that is completely comprehensible as a result of it is a world class workforce.

“To only be within the center order can be type of a pleasant alternative simply to type of knuckle down and get to work within the center order,” he added.

Connolly has shortly established himself as one of the promising younger skills in Australian cricket. He made his T20I and ODI debuts in September final 12 months earlier than incomes his Saggy Inexperienced in January.

The Western Australian additionally impressed throughout the ODI collection in opposition to India, producing a peaceful, match-winning knock beneath stress.

Reflecting on his speedy rise over the previous three years, Connolly stated adapting to the calls for of worldwide cricket has been essential.

“I believe during the last three years, it has been about understanding how completely different the worldwide stage is. It is about adjusting to that, understanding how bowlers are attempting to get me out extra and the way I can counter that.”

“I’ve needed to earn the proper to be within the Australian set-up. So it is about studying from guys like Travis Head, Steve Smith, how they go about it and the way they type of prepare to all these requirements.” “I am simply attempting to tweak my sport slowly and add extra strings to it as I transfer ahead.”

Connolly additionally stated he’s wanting ahead to working intently with Australia’s World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting, who’s the top coach of Punjab Kings.

“I’ve heard a number of good issues about him. I have not carried out a number of work with him simply but. So, I am wanting ahead to spending a while with him and type of performing some tweaks to my batting and seeing what his ideas are on it.” He’s additionally wanting ahead to face a few of the finest bowlers on the planet on the IPL.

“Everybody goes to this match (IPL) as a result of it is most likely going to be essentially the most aggressive. And likewise wanting ahead to getting over there and difficult myself in opposition to a few of the finest bowlers on the planet.”

Conscious that IPL situations will likely be vastly completely different from the quick, bouncy pitches of Australia, Connolly stated adapting to spin can be an enormous problem.

“Yeah, it’s extremely completely different to Australia. We have clearly bought some quick, bouncy wickets. However that problem of taking part in spin is a problem that’s robust for everybody.

“So, it is nearly selecting the brains of those that have carried out it for a protracted time frame and understanding how they go about it, I suppose, add their methodology into my sport and see how I can type of play in these spinning situations.