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Cooper Connolly credits Ricky Ponting for calming his nerves on dream IPL debut

Cooper Connolly made a sensational IPL debut for Punjab Kings, scoring an unbeaten 72 to secure a three-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans. The young all-rounder admitted to morning nerves but credited head coach Ricky Ponting for keeping him calm and focused on dominating the game. Connolly's performance drew direct comparisons to the debut of his childhood hero and mentor, Shaun Marsh, for the same franchise. He also expressed his eagerness to learn from teammate and world-class batter Shreyas Iyer during the tournament.

Key Points: Cooper Connolly on IPL debut: Ponting kept me calm

  • Match-winning 72 on IPL debut
  • Credits coach Ricky Ponting's guidance
  • Draws parallels to Shaun Marsh's first game
  • Eyes learning from Shreyas Iyer
  • Named Player of the Match
2 min read

IPL 2026: Woke up with little bit of nerves, Ponting kept me calm and collected, says Connolly

PBKS debutant Cooper Connolly reveals how coach Ricky Ponting's advice helped him overcome nerves to score a match-winning 72 against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026.

"Ricky Ponting just kept me calm and collected. He told me to play my game, go out there and dominate. - Cooper Connolly"

New Delhi, April 1

After dazzling with a match-winning 72 on his IPL debut to give Punjab Kings a three-wicket win over Gujarat Titans, batting all-rounder Cooper Connolly said head coach Ricky Ponting's guidance helped him stay calm and collected, which in turn cooled down the nerves he had on the morning of the clash.

Connolly struck an unbeaten 72 off 44 balls and held his nerve in a chase of 163 after PBKS suffered a middle-order wobble. "I woke up in the morning with a little bit of nerves, which I was really happy about, but yeah, I was really looking forward to getting out there and playing my part the best I can.

"Ricky Ponting just kept me calm and collected. He told me to play my game, go out there and dominate. It was a nice team performance. We were very strong with the ball and made things easier for ourselves. It was a really good day for us.

"I was looking forward to spending time out in the middle with Shreyas Iyer and just sort of picking his brains a little bit. He's a world-class player. I've played a little bit of cricket with him for Australia A and Australia. He is a great player for a reason, and hopefully, I can learn as much as I can," said Connolly on JioHotstar.

Connolly's successful debut for PBKS carried similarities of how his childhood hero Shaun Marsh fared in his very first IPL game. Both began their IPL journeys with PBKS, marked their first appearance with half-centuries, and came in successful run chases. Both stayed unbeaten to see their side home, and were named Player of the Match for their efforts.

In emulating Marsh, Connolly announced himself on the IPL stage with a bang. "It was a nice moment when I got picked up. Shaun Marsh was the first person I spoke to about it and he gave me some good words. Growing up, I played at Western Australia with him for a long period of time and he has always been good to me.

"I looked up to him as a mentor and an idol and really enjoyed spending some time with him. It's nice to be among the runs. There are still plenty of games to go and I am really looking forward to the rest of the tournament," he added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So happy for Connolly! But honestly, the real story is Shreyas Iyer's presence. Having an Indian senior pro to guide these young overseas players is priceless. That partnership was crucial. More than Ponting, I think learning from Iyer will be key for his IPL success.
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Rohit P
Great innings, no doubt. But let's not get carried away with one match. We've seen many players have a brilliant debut and then fade away. The real test is consistency over 14 matches in Indian conditions. Hope he proves me wrong!
S
Sarah B
The mentorship angle here is beautiful. From Marsh as a childhood idol to Ponting as coach and Iyer as a batting partner. The IPL is more than just cricket, it's a global learning hub. Wishing him all the best for the season!
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Vikram M
As a PBKS fan, this is the kind of fearless cricket we've been waiting for! The middle order usually collapses under pressure. Connolly held his nerve. If he and Iyer can build these partnerships regularly, we can dream of the playoffs this year. 💪
K
Karthik V
Respectful criticism: The article focuses a lot on the overseas players and coaches. What about the Indian support staff and domestic players who also help these newcomers settle? The credit should be shared. The win was a team effort, as Connolly himself said.

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