'I don’t mind a bit of pressure': ‘Calm’ Cooper Connolly announces arrival
Cooper Connolly, a 22-year-old from Perth, made a remarkable IPL debut, scoring an unbeaten 72 to lead Punjab Kings to victory. He embraced the pressure, showcasing maturity and a calm demeanor, reminiscent of his idol Shaun Marsh. Connolly's performance highlights his big-match temperament, previously demonstrated in BBL and Sheffield Shield finals.
NEW CHANDIGARH: He woke up in the morning with nerves on Tuesday. “Which I was really happy about,” Cooper Connolly said after leading Punjab Kings to a three-wicket win over Gujarat Titans. For Connolly, it wasn’t the nerves, but the “happiness” about having them.
That small detail captures something essential about this 22-year-old from Perth. He doesn’t run from pressure. And on Tuesday night in New Chandigarh, he walked out to bat like a man arriving exactly where he was always meant to be.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! By the time he was done, Connolly had scored an unbeaten 72 off 44, guided Punjab to their first win of IPL-2026, taking Player of the Match honours on IPL debut, and left his new teammate Yuzvendra Chahal making declarations on his behalf.
“He’s only 20 something but has the hunger to excel on the big stage,” Chahal said in the post-match presser. “The way he performed in his very first match, batting at No. 3, playing a match-winning innings, shows how mature he is mentally.