The 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has finally come to its end, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru winning by five wickets to retain their crown.
The 2026 season saw many big-money acquisitions from teams in the auction before the start of the season. Teams spent big money on players, expecting significant returns, and while some of them may not have lived up to their mark, we take a look at the players from the 2026 season who have lived up to their significant price tags.
Here are 5 players who justified their price tags in IPL 2026:
5. Cooper Connolly: INR 3.00 crore (Punjab Kings)
It took the cricketing world by surprise when Australian youngster Cooper Connolly was slated to bat at one-drop for the Punjab Kings in IPL 2026. The young all-rounder, who had taken the Australian circuit by storm, was gearing up for his first experience of IPL cricket. With doubts around his immediate ascent to the side, Connolly left a lasting impression, scoring an unbeaten 72 off 44 balls as he guided the Kings home against the Gujarat Titans in a low-scoring thriller.
He scored 491 runs at a strike rate of 163.12, slotting in at number three and adding support to the openers. Reminiscent of his idol Shaun Marsh taking the IPL by storm in his debut season in 2008, Connolly has made a significant mark in his rookie season and shown why he is so highly regarded as a player to watch out for in the future.
