New Delhi: Unbeaten so far in IPL 2026, Kings XI Punjab have found a winning formula that is built not only on performance but also on a strong dressing room culture – something that is all-round Cooper Connolly Said is driving their success.Kings XI Punjab continued their dominance with a 54-run victory over Lucknow Supergiants, with Connolly scoring 87 off 46 balls and Priyansh Arya notching a staggering 182 runs (93 off 37 balls). The win puts them firmly at the top of the table and extends their unbeaten run.But for Connolly, the real difference is off the field.“We all talk about what works for each other and we take things out of each other’s books. We like to take some notes on each other,” he said, emphasizing the team’s collaborative approach.Learning culture drives PBKS surgeConnolly emphasized that the team’s focus is on continuous improvement rather than personal milestones.“We all want to try to get better, that’s what the game is about, to be the best team we can be. We’re looking forward to more notes and information between each other to get better as a team and as a team, not just about my game.”This shared mentality has translated into solid performances, with PBKS only conceding points once in a rain-affected game while convincingly winning the rest of their matches.Connolly also reserved special praise for his captain Shreyas Iyercrediting his leadership with creating a positive environment.“He just leads by example, he always makes his team feel comfortable around him, he’s always trying to be better and encouraging people – and making sure we have a smile on our face.”Large partnerships set the toneReflecting on his position to win the competition, Connolly admitted he admired Arya’s talent from the other side.“I was just kind of in awe on the other end because I couldn’t get out of the strike, but, yeah, just loved watching him hit the ball,” he said.Connolly added that the team’s approach remains simple – play positive cricket and take advantage of opportunities.“You just want to play good cricket, put pressure on the bowling attack and take advantage of the loose ball, and I thought we did that tonight.”Even minor setbacks, such as a missed catch, did not dampen Punjab’s momentum.“It’s a game of cricket…people are going to miss the ball. We just want to keep going and give it our all for the next game.”See also intense pulsed light orange cap Bracket and IPL purple hat holder
