Inglis who? No BBL tax for Cooper Connolly as project Punjab finds a new No.3 general

When Josh Inglis was released by Punjab Kings, it raised quite a few eyebrows. The wicketkeeper had been a key figure in Punjab’s late surge last season, helping them reach the final. Seeing him walk away from the side came as a surprise.

Then came the uncertainty around his IPL availability—how many matches he would play and whether he would feature at all. In the end, Inglis moved to Lucknow Super Giants, leaving Punjab in search of a new No.3.

Once again, Ricky Ponting turned to the Big Bash League, placing his faith in Cooper Connolly. Punjab even went head-to-head with Kolkata Knight Riders to secure the all-rounder for Rs. 3 crore.

PBKS vs GT, IPL 2026: Highlights | Scorecard

But with Australian recruits comes the lingering “BBL tax.” Over the years, several standout performers from Australia’s T20 league have struggled to replicate their success in India. The likes of Jhye Richardson, D'Arcy Short, and Matthew Short arrived with big reputations but failed to leave a lasting mark in the IPL.

Connolly’s numbers in the BBL are solid. In 34 matches for the Perth Scorchers, he has scored 786 runs at an average of 30.23 and a strike rate of 137.41. With the ball, he has picked up 27 wickets from 28 innings at an economy rate of 6.85 and an average of 18.26.

Good numbers? Yes. Good enough for the IPL? Maybe not.

Which is why the clash against the Gujarat Titans felt like an acid test. Connolly didn’t bowl, and when he came in at No. 3, Punjab had already lost Priyansh Arya early.

He took a few deliveries to settle before launching into the GT bowlers—reminiscent of Inglis during his stint with the franchise. There was control, composure, and a clear sense of temperament.

"It was a bit of a refresh for me. I had a couple of practice days at home. I spent some time with my family and friends. I decided to reset and go into the IPL as fresh as I can," said Connolly about his preparations before the tournament.

That reset proved crucial, especially after Punjab suffered a mini-collapse that threatened to derail their innings.

Yet, there was no panic in Connolly’s demeanour. He seemed to understand that it would only take a couple of clean hits to swing momentum back.

"I was very relaxed out there. I still felt that we were in a really good position in the game. Marco was pretty calm and so was Xavier," said Connolly.

THE SHAUN MARSH EFFECT

When you think of Punjab’s earlier days as Kings XI Punjab, Shaun Marsh is a name that immediately stands out. Despite the franchise never winning a title, Marsh’s contributions remain etched in the memories of IPL fans.

In 71 matches, the left-hander scored 2477 runs and remains a legend at the franchise.

For Connolly, Marsh is more than just a former great—he is both an idol and a mentor. His batting approach has clearly influenced Connolly’s game.

“He’s someone I can approach for a chat about cricket and his approach. More than anything, it’s the way he plays that I try to model my game on, how he gives himself a chance in every format, his timing, and his ability to find the boundary. For me, it’s about reaching out to him when the time feels right.

"He’s been really good to me. I’ve always enjoyed watching him bat, and even now I go back to his highlights, especially his hundreds. It’s about picking certain attributes from his batting and trying to incorporate them into my own game, because he was world-class," said Connolly before the IPL.

TAKING DOWN RASHID KHAN

The standout aspect of Connolly’s innings against GT was the ease with which he handled Rashid Khan. While the Afghan spinner hasn’t been at his very best recently, he remains one of the most dangerous bowlers in the IPL, with 159 wickets from 137 matches.

It never looked like Connolly was facing him for the first time. In the 12 balls he played against Rashid, he scored 22 runs, including a boundary and two sixes.

Both sixes were struck straight down the ground with minimal fuss, underlining his confidence and clarity.

"It's good to see him taking on Rashid Khan, although Rashid Khan these days is not at his best. But for a young cricketer or a young batter like him to set the tone for the run was exemplary. I think no wonder Ricky Ponting really backs this young and exciting talent," said Saba Karim.

Ponting’s presence could be crucial in unlocking Connolly’s true potential in the IPL.

"Ricky just kept me nice and calm and collected, just say play your game, mate, and go out there and dominate," said Connolly after the game.

If Connolly can stay grounded and continue to play his natural game, Punjab may well have found someone who can offer even more than Inglis did. Perhaps, the final piece in their long-standing quest for an IPL title.

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