IPL 2026: Cooper Connolly finds ‘beauty’ in grind of three formats

CHANDIGARH: Cooper Connolly, the 22-year-old Australian allrounder who has turned heads in his debut IPL for the Punjab Kings, embodies a rare blend of youthful swagger and quiet introspection.

In a format that prizes power above all, Connolly is sticking to his guns, letting the game come to him rather than chasing the big hits every ball.

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“Each player has their own strengths, and I’m pretty keen to stick to my own strengths,” Connolly said during an interaction on the JioStar Press Room, his voice carrying the easy confidence of someone who has already shouldered pressure in all three international formats.

“Obviously power is becoming a big part of T20 cricket, but there’re other ways to go around it (too). And that’s going to be me sort of understanding and learning, and I’m confident I’m going to get around that.”

That approach shone through in Mullanpur in Punjab’s opening game of the 2026 IPL against Gujarat Titans, where Connolly walked in at No. 3 amid a collapse —PBKS slipping from 110/2 to 118/6 chasing Gujarat Titans’ 162/6 — and hit an unbeaten 72 off 44 balls. It was the fifth-highest IPL debut score, sealing a three-wicket win.

Across four matches so far, Connolly has aggregated 119 runs at a strike-rate north of 152, including a quickfire 36 off 22 against Chennai Super Kings. “I’m pretty happy with the tempo of my game at the moment because that’s allowing me to perform the best that I can for this team (Punjab Kings),” he added, the satisfaction palpable.

But Connolly’s no IPL flash-in-the-pan. Having broken into the Australia national team setup, he has sampled all three formats — T20Is, ODIs and Tests — without yet being boxed into a fixed role.

“There is a beauty about playing all three formats,” Connolly said. “It’s a challenge, and it’s going to take some time to understand how I’m going to go between all three formats. But I’m enjoying that challenge, and I’m learning every time… I’m still (only) 22. So, I’m still trying to work things out, what works for me. But I also understand that you’re not going to have everything worked out by the age of 22.”

Sub-continent spin has been his latest classroom, especially after making his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Galle last year, and now the tracks in India during the IPL. “The wickets, obviously, have been relatively nice so far (in the tournament), so I think it’s just about trying to put the pressure back on the spinners and really just try to hone the spin and bring the quicks back on. I feel I do my best work with the quicks,” Connolly said, when asked about his approach to tackling spinners.

“There is a lot of challenge while playing the spinners here in India. And, sometimes, I won’t be successful. It’s all about how I can manage,” Connolly added, showing his pragmatic side.