Josh Inglis’ IPL 2026 Availability Questioned After Massive ₹8.6 Crore LSG Move

Something seems odd about Josh Inglis’ IPL 2026 availability. Even though the BCCI said he will be available for only four matches, Lucknow Super Giants still bought him for a big ₹8.6 crore at the auction. The bid has now raised hackles in a section of the league, prompting questions about whether there was some miscommunication, or whether the West Australian changed his plans at the last minute.

Punjab Kings officials are peeved that they were forced to release the wicket-keeper batter at the last minute after he had communicated to them of his limited availability for IPL 2026. Now, it turns out he may feature in the IPL for longer than anticipated.

PBKS officials told the BCCI about releasing Josh Inglis just 45 minutes before the retention deadline on November 15. They now feel they didn’t have complete information at that time. As per the sources, Inglis told PBKS that he was getting married and would therefore have restricted participation in the next season. Specifically he had informed the concerned PBKS authorities that his wedding was on April 18 and that he would go on his honeymoon immediately afterward, making him available for only 10-14 days in late May.

Josh Inglis IPL 2026 availability confusion sparks controversy after ₹8.6 crore LSG bid

Based on that information, Punjab released him. They now plan to take the matter up with the BCCI. What happened at the auction shocked PBKS, especially because there was a bidding war between SunRisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants. In the end, LSG bought the 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batter for ₹8.6 crore, which is ₹6 crore more than what he earned earlier.It is now said that the Justin Langer-Tom Moody duo (coach and director of LSG) and the Daniel Vettori-Pat Cummins combination (coach and captain of SRH) knew more than Ricky Ponting, the head coach of PBKS.

"Look, he obviously was going to be out for personal reasons. And that's always subject to change. You never know - people can make different decisions once the auction is done. So, we thought that with the relationship Dan and him have, he could maybe convince him to play a few extra games. And that's where it came from," Varun Aaron said.

It is being said that Inglis might postpone his honeymoon plans and report for IPL duties immediately after his marriage on April 18. "Now that he has got such a bid, he might even come at the start of the season, leave for the wedding, and come back soon after," said a source.

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SRH IPL 2026 Probable Playing XI: Squad, Impact Player & Auction Buys Sunrisers Hyderabad splurged INR 13 crore to sign England all-rounder Liam Livingstone at the IPL 2026 mini-auction on Tuesday.

by Dwijesh December 19, 2025