Punjab Kings (PBKS) have provided an important update regarding the fitness of Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly in IPL 2026.
Following Punjab Kings’ emphatic 54-run win over Lucknow Super Giants on April 19, Connolly had flown to Perth for a quick scan to assess his fitness.
PBKS spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule confirmed that Connolly will be available for the table-toppers’ clash against Delhi Capitals on Saturday, April 25th.
“He’s ready and raring to go” – Bahutule
Speaking before the match, Bahutule said that Connolly was “very much available” for the clash against DC.
“Yes, he’s very much available. He just went there and has come back. He’s ready and raring to go.”
The 22-year-old southpaw had flown back to Australia for scans on his back while Cricket Australia monitored his bowling fitness.
Playing his first IPL season, Connolly has impressed everyone, having made 223 runs at a strike rate of 164 with two fifties, including an 87 in just 46 balls in the last match. He is yet to bowl his left-arm spin in IPL 2026.
“Punjab Kings need to improve with the new-ball” – Bahutule
Even though the Punjab Kings are yet to lose a single match in IPL 2026, Bahutule said that there are some areas the team needs to work on.
Out of the 6 matches they have played so far, the Punjab Kings have won 5 matches, while 1 match has been a no-result.
Bahutule said that the IPL 2025 runners-up needed to improve with the new ball. “When it comes to bowling, the new-ball phase has been decent, but that’s an area we need to improve. The middle and death overs have been fabulous for us,” he said.
Bahutule also talked about the excellent batting performances that Punjab’s top order has put up.
“Going forward, there will be situations where the batters might not get a start, but I think we are very well-equipped. There is depth in our batting,” he added.
PBKS have momentum, DC need work
PBKS and DC will face each other in Delhi in the afternoon match on Saturday, 25 April. The visitors are unbeaten, but hosts Delhi Capitals are reeling from a 47-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad.
DC are currently sixth on the points with 3 wins and 3 losses each from their six matches. Punjab Kings are first after being unbeaten and are currently running on a three-match win streak.
Cooper Connolly will be expected to continue his good run of form against a DC bowling attack that conceded 242 runs in their last match.
The Capitals are currently tied on six points with two other teams and do not have a good net run rate to boast of. Even if they win, they will be tied on points with fourth-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad but have a worse NRR than the Orange Army. SRH, though, might go up to second place since they will be playing the night match on Saturday.
