Chennai, April 2 (NationPress) Punjab Kings' assistant coach Brad Haddin praised young all-rounder Cooper Connolly for exhibiting exceptional maturity during his inaugural IPL match, as the team gears up to clash with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium this Friday. Connolly scored an impressive unbeaten 72 runs off 44 deliveries, maintaining composure while chasing a target of 163 after PBKS encountered a middle-order stumble against Gujarat Titans in New Chandigarh. “We’ve had our eyes on Cooper Connolly in Australia for quite some time now. We were eager to secure him early in the auction and had discussions about incorporating him into our squad before others recognized his true potential,” Haddin remarked.

“His innings showcased the remarkable maturity he possesses with the bat, and it was evident how he managed the game in his debut. Facing pressure during his first IPL match, he demonstrated skills we’ve been aware of for a long time, and it was great for everyone to witness,” Haddin stated during the pre-match conference.

Additionally, Haddin offered an update on captain Shreyas Iyer, who sustained a hand injury from a shot by Connolly in the previous game. “Fortunately, there’s no fracture, which is a positive. Now, it's about reducing the swelling and restoring movement in his hand, so he should be good to go for tomorrow,” he indicated.

Haddin emphasized that the PBKS team has focused on enhancing their squad's flexibility during their preparation, enabling them to adapt to different pitch conditions. “Our squad's versatility is a significant asset. Over the past two years, we’ve dedicated time to achieving the right balance to tackle varying surfaces in the IPL,” he explained.

Regarding the pitch conditions at Chepauk, known for its flat surface, Haddin commented, “We’ll analyze the data related to the surface here. There’s extensive information on its behavior and whether we need an additional spinner.”

“The pitch has flattened somewhat over time, and currently, it has more grass than we’ve seen before, so we’ll likely make our decision after today’s practice. However, as I mentioned earlier, we are fortunate with the flexibility in our squad, which alleviates concerns about the pitch conditions,” he added.

On pacer Xavier Bartlett's growth, Haddin remarked on his development as a bowler and lower-order batsman. “If you observe Xavier Bartlett closely, you’ll see significant improvement over the past year. He initially started as a new-ball bowler but has developed a solid game for the end of innings as well. His batting has progressed remarkably, making him a dependable lower-order hitter, as we witnessed under pressure in the last match,” he noted.

Haddin concluded by expressing satisfaction with PBKS's victory in the tournament. “We’re thrilled. It’s crucial to kick off the tournament positively. While there’s room for growth based on our first game, we are pleased with how things unfolded in the end.”