Cooper Connolly Credits Ponting After Match-Winning 72 on IPL Debut for Punjab Kings

Overview

• Connolly marked his IPL debut with an unbeaten 72 off 44 balls to seal a three-wicket chase against Gujarat Titans in New Chandigarh and claimed Player of the Match.
• The left-hander steadied the innings with Prabhsimran Singh in a 76-run stand for the second wicket after an early loss of opener Priyansh Arya.
• He credited head coach Ricky Ponting for keeping him calm and urging him to play his natural game.
• Connolly said he woke up with nerves yet welcomed the pressure, describing himself as a tempo player who relies on timing rather than power hitting.
• He highlighted senior voices he wants to learn from, naming captain Shreyas Iyer and longtime mentor Shaun Marsh, and Punjab Kings next visit Chennai Super Kings on April 3.