In the high-stakes world of IPL 2026, Punjab Kings’ rising star Cooper Connolly isn’t shy about his admiration for captain Shreyas Iyer. ‘He’s world-class, and I love learning from him,’ the youngster declared, crediting Iyer’s guidance amid PBKS’s explosive tournament start. A rain-abandoned match versus KKR couldn’t dampen their spirits.
Grateful for praise from Iyer and Ricky Ponting post their strong opening, Connolly has been a revelation. His match-winning 72-run knock off 44 deliveries against Gujarat Titans, amid middle-order chaos, clinched Player of the Match. Followed by a crucial 36 against CSK, sealing PBKS’s second win.
Speaking on ‘Geostar,’ he shared, ‘Great beginning—hoping to sustain wins and lead the table. Shreyas and I connected during the Aus-India series. His batting mesmerizes me; his insights are gold. He’s complimented my game, which means the world. World-class as he is, I’ll keep learning to excel for PBKS.’
Commitment runs deep: ‘Aiming to impact with batting, bowling, fielding—whatever it takes for team triumphs.’ Nerves hit hard before his IPL bow: ‘Anxious all morning, jittery on the sidelines. But creasing up to bat, I zoned in, stayed calm, and let instincts flow.’
The PBKS camp thrives on positivity. Connolly lauds Iyer: ‘He’s magnetic—a top bloke everyone wants around. We play for him, and he earns that loyalty.’ As PBKS builds momentum, Connolly’s journey from nerves to heroics symbolizes their upward trajectory.
