Australian batting all-rounder Cooper Connolly‘s arrival was hailed by Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer, who described Connolly as an ideal fit for the team and highlighted his ability to finish games. By making this acquisition, PBKS wrapped up the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction and added four noteworthy players to their 25-man roster for the forthcoming campaign.
Two uncapped and two capped players were acquired by PBKS at the auction, with Australian bowler Ben Dwarshuis being the team’s most costly acquisition. In addition to being a dependable slow left-arm spinner, the young Australian all-rounder adds significant flexibility to the middle order.
Connolly, who was bought for INR 3 crore, marked the start of the team’s auction binge.
To be honest, he wasn’t initially on our radar, but as we thought things through and reduced our possibilities, we saw that he was a wonderful fit for the job. He can finish games and has a wonderful attitude. In the IPL, those qualities are quite important. Iyer was quoted by NDTV Sports as saying, “But we didn’t think we would get him for three; in fact, we predicted his price would be much higher.”
Australian bowler Dwarshuis was signed by the squad for INR 4.40 crore, which was their highest price. The left-arm fast bowler gives PBKS’ bowling attack a great deal of depth and offers a powerful power-hitting option at the end. He can also contribute as a lower-order batter.
After being re-acquired at his basic price of INR 30 lakh, Pravin Dubey rejoined the PBKS. Alongside Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar, the seasoned spinner provides vital Indian spin assistance. Promising young talent Vishal Nishad joined the team for his base price of INR 30 lakh, further bolstering the domestic core and giving the team depth and potential.
With a purse of INR 11.5 crore going into the auction, the Punjab Kings spent INR 8 crore to acquire two players from abroad and two from India. By making these additions, PBKS has made sure that youth, experience, and adaptable match-winners are all evenly distributed.
After an 11-year hiatus, PBKS advanced to the final of the IPL 2025 after finishing as runners-up. The team is currently looking for its first IPL trophy in franchise history thanks to a redesigned roster and wise additions like Connolly, Dwarshuis, Dubey, and Nishad.
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