Captain of Punjab Kings (PBKS) Shreyas Iyer Australian batting all-rounder Cooper praised the acquisition of Connolly, highlighting his ability to finish matches and calling him a perfect fit for the team. With this signing, PBKS concluded the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction, completing their 25-player squad for the upcoming season with four notable additions.
During the auction, PBKS secured two uncapped and two capped players, with Australian fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis emerging as the team's most expensive player. The team started its auction with Connolly, who was bought for Rs 3 crore. The young Australian all-rounder brings valuable flexibility to the middle-order and can also contribute as a reliable slow left-arm spinner.
“To be honest, initially he was not on our mind, but as we brainstormed and narrowed down our options, we realized he is a perfect fit for the position. He has great temperament and the ability to finish games. These attributes matter a lot in the IPL. However, we didn't think we would be able to buy him at No. 3, we actually predicted that his price would be very high,” Iyer was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.
The team's highest bid was for the contract of Australian fast bowler Dwarshuis for Rs 4.40 crore. The left-arm fast bowler, who can also contribute as a lower-order hitter, adds significant depth to PBKS's bowling attack while providing a potent power-hitting option in the death overs.
Praveen Dubey returns to PBKS after being bought again at a base price of Rs 30 lakh. The veteran spinner provides vital Indian spin backup with Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar. Further strengthening the domestic core, promising young talent Vishal Nishad also joined the squad at his base price of Rs 30 lakh, adding depth and potential to the squad.
Punjab Kings entered the auction with a purse of Rs 11.5 crore and spent Rs 8 crore to secure two overseas and two Indian players. With these additions, PBKS has ensured a balanced combination of experience, youth and versatile match-winners.
PBKS finished runners-up in IPL 2025 and reached the final after a gap of 11 years. With a revamped squad and strategic acquisitions like Connolly, Dwarshuis, Dubey and Nishad, the team is now aiming for its first IPL trophy in franchise history.
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