Cooper Connolly set to bat at number 3 for Punjab Kings in IPL 2026

Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly is slated to bat at number 3 for the Punjab Kings in IPL 2026.

As confirmed by head coach Ricky Ponting, the all-rounder replaces the departed Josh Inglis, who played a key role for the franchise at one-down in the 2025 season. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 278 runs at a strike rate of 162.57, as he was an important part of Punjab’s run to the final. Inglis, who cited availability concerns for the 2026 season, was released ahead of the 2026 season and was picked up by the Lucknow Super Giants for a whopping INR 8.60 crores.

Signed for INR 3 crore, Connolly comes in as one of the most promising youngsters in Australian cricket. A left-handed batter who bowls left-arm spin, he was part of the Perth Scorchers team that lifted their sixth Big Bash League crown. He will be playing as a specialist batter until the end of April as he recovers from a back issue and has been directed by Cricket Australia’s medical team not to bowl in the IPL.

The 22-year-old youngster has played 52 T20s, accumulating 870 runs at a strike rate of 132.62. 378 of those runs have come batting at number 3, in 14 innings, at a strike rate of 132.16. His highest T20 score of 77 came batting at number 3, off just 37 balls, for the Scorchers against the Brisbane Heat in December 2025.

He has made his debut for Australia in all formats but has been picked in preference for his bowling skills rather than his batting exploits. Despite this, Connolly remains one of the most highly rated prospects in Australia’s cricketing circuit. In October 2025, Connolly made an unbeaten 61 in an ODI against India at Adelaide, helping the Aussies chase down 265 with two wickets to spare. He even captained Australia in the 2022 Under-19 World Cup.

The Punjab Kings take on the Gujarat Titans in their opening game of IPL 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in New Chandigarh on Tuesday, March 31. They will be looking to go all the way after a disappointing ending to their 2025 campaign, where they finished as the runners-up, becoming the only IPL franchise to have multiple finale appearances without a title.