New Delhi, Dec 22 (NationPress) Australia's emerging left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Cooper Connolly has expressed that he sees his first venture into the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Punjab Kings in 2026 as a pivotal moment to refine his bowling abilities by learning from the top spinners in the league.

"I believe I'm still evolving my bowling skills. It’s incredibly thrilling. My aim is to improve my bowling as much as possible. Over the past three years, I’ve focused significantly on enhancing my bowling performance," Connolly stated during a virtual roundtable discussion organized by the franchise on Monday.

Connolly's acquisition by PBKS for Rs 3 crore at last week's auction in Abu Dhabi followed his remarkable performance, where he scored an unbeaten 61 off 53 balls against the visiting Indian team in October, leading Australia from a precarious 132/4 to a successful chase of 265 and securing a series victory.

This isn't Connolly's first encounter with Indian cricket; he previously toured India with the Australia A team in September-October, where he excelled in both red-ball and white-ball formats played in Lucknow and Kanpur. Additionally, he participated in an intensive 12-day training camp held by Cricket Australia at the MRF Academy in Chennai in 2023. Connolly acknowledged that his previous experiences in Indian conditions would be beneficial when facing various pitches and large crowds in IPL 2026.

"It’s highly beneficial. Having visited India a couple of times, each opportunity allows me to grasp the conditions better. I always take away valuable lessons, noting that the pitches differ from Australia, often being less fast and bouncy, which should help me adapt to the spinning conditions," he remarked.

Connolly, who captained Australia in the 2022 ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup in the West Indies, is grateful for the rapid opportunities that have arisen in his cricketing career and is intent on maximizing them to continue his upward trajectory.

While he faces tough competition for a spot in Australia's T20 World Cup squad due to the team's depth, his all-round skills and the tournament's setting in India and Sri Lanka could play to his advantage.

"Everything has unfolded quickly over the last three years; it’s been surreal. I often reflect on my journey. It’s an honor to represent my country across all formats," Connolly added.

At just 22, he acknowledges there’s much cricket ahead of him, stating, "Every opportunity I receive, I strive to make the most of it and present my best self."

Connolly is particularly looking forward to working under PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer, with whom he had brief interactions during the Australia A tour of India. "During my time there for the Australia vs India 'A' matches, I had a brief discussion with him. Observing his performance, he’s a world-class player and a star even in Australia. I’m eager to gain insights from him and understand his approach to success. I'm excited about the thought of picking his brain once I arrive there," he noted.

"There are definitely players I haven’t met yet, so I’m looking forward to connecting with them, learning from their experiences, and adapting to Indian conditions. It’s going to be an incredible tournament," he concluded.