Punjab Kings' decision to invest in young Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly at the IPL 2026 mini-auction could prove to be a shrewd move, both for
the present and the future. Bought for Rs 3 crore, Connolly was PBKS' first signing of the auction as the franchise completed its 25-player squad with a mix of capped and uncapped talent.
But the 22-year-old already made a strong first impression as a Punjab Kings player, not with bat or ball, but with words that reflected ambition, respect and clarity of purpose.
Speaking at a press meet organised by Punjab Kings after the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Connolly opened up about his long-standing admiration for Shaun Marsh - a player he models his game on and a name deeply etched in PBKS history.
Marsh, a former Australian international and a Western Australia stalwart, is regarded as one of Punjab Kings' biggest legends after winning the Orange Cap in the inaugural IPL season. For Connolly, the connection feels more than coincidental. While acknowledging the enormity of Marsh's achievements, the 22-year-old made it clear that he dreams of building something meaningful of his own in Punjab colours.
"He's created a legacy across the world because he's a world-class player, and I still speak to him occasionally. To have the kind of career he's had would be unbelievable, but I know there's still a long way to go for me. That said, I'd love to leave a legacy of my own at Punjab," Connolly said.
The Australian all-rounder stressed that opportunities in the IPL are never guaranteed and that he is ready to make the most of any chance that comes his way. "If I get the opportunity, I'll give it everything. I want to make it the kind of moment I've always dreamed of," he added, before reiterating his biggest goal - helping Punjab Kings lift their first IPL title.
Connolly also highlighted how much he hopes to learn from Marsh's journey with PBKS. "If anyone manages even half of what he achieved, they've done extremely well," he said, pointing to Marsh's ability to handle pressure and deliver when the team needed him the most.
Punjab Kings clearly see similar traits in Connolly. PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer revealed that the franchise had not initially planned to target the Australian but quickly realised he fit a crucial middle-order role, precisely as a finisher.
Connolly's recent performances justify that faith. He smashed a blistering 77 off 37 balls for Perth Scorches in the Big Bash League and followed it up with a composed 61 off 53 balls in the ODI series against India guiding Australia to a successful chase, which actually made him a regular in the 50-over set-up in the latter part of 2025.
With his batting versatility and handy slow left-arm spin, Connolly arrives at Punjab not just as a Shaun Marsh admirer, but as a player eager to create his own chapter in PBKS history and most importantly, he is looked as a like-for-like replacement for Glenn Maxwell, with the similar type of batting and bowling traits.
