Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka and Australia all-rounder Cooper Connolly earned their maiden IPL deals at the IPL 2026 mini auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Nissanka was sold to Delhi Capitals for ₹4 crore, while Connolly was acquired by Punjab Kings for ₹3 crore. Notably, Nissanka had smashed a century against India in the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai.