Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer has praised the franchise’s signing of Australian batting all-rounder Cooper Connolly, calling him a perfect fit for the side due to his calm temperament and finishing ability. The endorsement came after PBKS wrapped up their IPL 2026 mini-auction by completing a 25-player squad with four key additions.
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PBKS added two uncapped and two capped players during the auction, with Australian pacer Ben Dwarshuis emerging as their most expensive buy. The franchise began its auction campaign by securing Connolly for ₹3 crore, a move that Iyer believes adds valuable balance and flexibility to the middle order.
PBKS build depth with overseas and domestic reinforcements, as confirmed by Shreyas Iyer
Connolly, a young Australian all-rounder, offers multiple options with the bat and ball, including the ability to finish games and provide slow left-arm spin when required. Speaking about the signing, Iyer admitted the player was not an initial target.
“Honestly, he wasn’t in our plans at the start, but as we narrowed down our options, we realized he fit the role perfectly. He has a great temperament and the ability to finish matches, which is extremely important in the IPL. We actually expected his price to go much higher than ₹3 crore,” Iyer said, as quoted by NDTV Sports.
PBKS’ biggest outlay came with the acquisition of left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis for ₹4.40 crore. The Australian fast bowler strengthens the bowling unit and also adds power-hitting depth in the lower order, particularly in the death overs.
The franchise also brought back experienced spinner Pravin Dubey at his base price of ₹30 lakh, bolstering their Indian spin options alongside Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar. Young domestic prospect Vishal Nishad was another addition at the base price of ₹30 lakh, further enhancing the team’s depth.
Punjab Kings entered the auction with a purse of ₹11.5 crore and spent ₹8 crore to secure two overseas and two Indian players, ensuring a balanced mix of experience, youth and versatility.
Having finished runners-up in IPL 2025 after an 11-year wait to reach the final, PBKS will be aiming to go one step further in IPL 2026. With strategic signings such as Connolly, Dwarshuis, Dubey and Nishad, the franchise is eyeing its maiden IPL title.
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