Another shocking update regarding an overseas talent in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL 2026). This time, it is the Punjab Kings (PBKS) who popped up in the news flashes for one of their key players.
According to the latest ESPNCricinfo report, Australia all-rounder Cooper Connolly is likely to bat at 3 for Punjab Kings in IPL 2026 as he is likely to avoid the bowling part in the initial part of the season with PBKS.
Cooper Connolly’s role revealed in IPL 2026
Ahead of the IPL 2026, PBKS, the team that ended as the second-best team of the tournament, has been in search of an impactful number 3 batter for their playing combination after the departure of Josh Inglis. They might have found the replacement in the form of the Aussie all-rounder Cooper Connolly.
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“It is understood that another Australian is set to fill Inglis’ role: Cooper Connolly. The West Australian, despite his lean form with the bat, is likely to bat at No. 3,” the report mentioned.
Why will Cooper Connolly not round his arms as a bowler?
It is reported that Cooper Connolly has a back issue for which Cricket Australia (CA) has asked him not to bowl as of now. According to the report, the spin-bowling all-rounder will play for the Punjab Kings only as a batter until the end of April.
“Connolly, however, has been asked by Cricket Australia’s medical team not to bowl his left-arm spin in the initial part of the IPL while he recovers from a back issue. He will play as a specialist batter until the end of April,” the media report reads.
With the bat, the Aussie sustained repeated setbacks
Ahead of his maiden Indian Premier League season, Connolly is backed by thin batting stats in the T20s. In the Big Bash League 2025-26 (BBL 2025-26) season for the Perth Scorchers, despite smashing a couple of half-centuries, his batting average was 19.00 after batting in 12 innings. Though in the previous BBL season, his batting stats were impressive with an average of 50,14 after performing in 10 innings for the Scorchers.
For the Australian National Cricket Team, his batting number is far from impressive. In the T20 International format, the 22-year-old’s batting average reads only 4.66 in 7 innings. In this format, his highest score for Australia is so far 13.
Cooper Connolly last featured in a Sheffield Shield match for Western Australia, against Queensland. In this multiple-format match, he batted at the number 6 spot in the first innings and played as the number 3 batter in the second innings. As the number 3 batter, he managed to score only 10 runs against 13 balls before losing a wicket.
PBKS will start their IPL 2026 campaign on March 31. In their first match of the season, they will face the Gujarat Titans at the PCA New Cricket Stadium in Tira. Like the previous season, Shreyas Iyer will lead PBKS.
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