Former Team India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has praised young all-rounder Cooper Connolly during the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26. Ashwin said Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings (PBKS) made a “real deal” by signing Connolly in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction.
Connolly secured his first IPL deal after being selected by Punjab Kings in the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The 21-year-old, who entered the auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore, initially found no takers. However, in the later rounds, Punjab Kings signed the young Australian cricketer for Rs 3 crore.
Cooper Connolly scored two consecutive half-centuries for Perth Scorchers
The Perth Scorchers displayed a record-setting batting display to post one of the highest scores in Big Bash League history. They scored a total of 257 runs at the loss of five wickets in 20 overs.
Mitchell Marsh was out after scoring just three runs in three balls. However, Finn Allen and Cooper Connolly completely dominated the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba.
Allen and Connolly made a partnership of 142 runs off 63 balls to take the Scorchers to 150 runs in just 12 overs. Connolly reached his half-century in just 27 balls, while Allen countered the aggression with clean, powerful hitting, including eight sixes in the aggregate.
Connolly was out in the 12th over after scoring 77 runs in 37 balls with the help of six fours and six sixes. Brisbane Heat needed 258 runs to win, a target that confirmed another defeat despite a slim mathematical chance.
Cooper Connolly can become the “real deal” – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin praised Cooper Connolly on social media after another strong performance in the Big Bash League. Ashwin also supported Punjab Kings’ decision to sign him and described the all-rounder as a genuine talent and a “real deal” prospect.
Ashwin wrote on
Cooper Connolly hits it out of the park once again.
PBKS has selected
Leading the run-scorer charts for BBL 2025.
50 runs in a row for Perth Scorchers.
He could be the “real deal” pic.twitter.com/uLXPr1RtQu
– Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) 19 December 2025
Cooper Connolly wins first IPL contract after initial failure in auction
Cooper Connolly has already represented Australia in Tests, ODIs and T20Is, but he had never managed to earn an IPL contract until now. At the start of the auction, a few teams were keeping an eye on him, but he initially remained unsold due to uncertainty about how he would fit into their plans.
Later Punjab Kings added him for Rs 3 crore. During the 2024–25 season, he debuted for Australia in all three formats, including his Test debut against Sri Lanka in February 2025.
Punjab Kings picked Connolly as a smart choice considering his abilities. His age, international experience, ability to handle pressure and versatility as an all-rounder are expected to benefit the franchise in the tournament.
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