Questions raised over Josh Inglis' IPL 2026 availability after INR 8.6 crore bid

There seems to be something amiss - and intriguing - about Josh Inglis' availability for IPL 2026. The Australian struck it rich with a INR 8.6 crore bid from the Lucknow Super Giants at the IPL auction, despite a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) communique stating that he would be available for only four games next season. 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. The PBKS officials, in fact, informed the BCCI about Inglis' release just about 45 minutes before the retention deadline on November 15. They now think they did not have the full information.

According to 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. Based on this communication, the Punjab officials released him. They now intend to approach the BCCI regarding the issue.

What played out at the auction came as a surprise, particularly to PBKS. There was a bidding race between SunRisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants for the 30-year-old wicket-keeper batter, with the latter securing him for INR 8.6 crore - an INR 6 crore increase from his previous fee. 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.

LSG officials were not immediately available for comment, but an SRH representative shed some light on Inglis' plans. "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, the bowling coach of SRH, told the media after the auction.

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. Langer, who is also a Western Australian like Inglis, is reportedly in conversation with the player.

Inglis did not exactly have a stellar season last year - 278 runs in 11 games at an average of 30.88 with a strike rate of 162.6 - but he made an impact in a couple of crucial games, both against Mumbai Indians at the business end of the season. He scored 73 off 42 balls in the last league fixture to ensure Punjab Kings finished in the top-two, and then hammered 38 off 21 in Qualifier 2 to help his side reach the final.