Hyderabad, April 4 -- Punjab Kings co-owner and Indian actress Preity Zinta, in a rendezvous with 22-year-old Cooper Connolly, asked the Australian all-rounder to chant, "Jai Bajrang Bali," resulting in mixed online reactions.

Connolly, who is playing his first-ever Indian Premier League- 2026 (IPL), made an impressive debut, smashing a 44-ball 72, powering Punjab Kings to a three-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans on Tuesday.

Now, a video has come forth showing Zinta asking the young batsman to chant the religious slogan.

"You might be born Australian, but now you're Punjabi by choice. We have the Punjabi spirit. Today is your first game, and it was played on a Tuesday. Tuesday is Hanumanji's day, the Indian God of strength and power,...