Josh Inglis, Australia’s wicketkeeper-batter, has confirmed that he will not be available for the full IPL 2026 season despite being picked by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for ₹8.6 crore at the recent IPL mini-auction. The IPL 2026 season is scheduled to run from March 26 to May 31, but Inglis will miss a significant portion due to his wedding planned for early April.
Speaking to ABC Sport, Inglis revealed that his limited availability played a big role in how the auction unfolded. He admitted that he did not expect to be picked, especially after initially going unsold. Inglis said he stopped watching the auction after his name was skipped, only to wake up later to messages confirming that LSG had eventually secured him following a bidding battle.
Josh Inglis’ Availability and IPL Auction Twist
Although Inglis had earlier been released by Punjab Kings (PBKS), his name unexpectedly sparked interest late in the auction. Lucknow Super Giants eventually outbid Sunrisers Hyderabad, reuniting Inglis with head coach Justin Langer. The duo previously worked together at Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League, a factor that likely influenced LSG’s decision.
Inglis explained that his partial availability was already known, as he plans to get married and take time away from cricket. Despite that, teams showed strong interest once his name came up again, highlighting his growing reputation as a reliable T20 batter and wicketkeeper.
Punjab Kings’ Reaction and Inglis’ IPL Record
PBKS co-owner Ness Wadia expressed disappointment with how the situation unfolded, stating that the franchise had planned to retain Inglis for IPL 2026. According to Wadia, Inglis informed the management about his limited availability just 45 minutes before the retention deadline, which the franchise felt was unprofessional. While critical of the timing, Wadia still wished Inglis well for his future, both personally and professionally.
In his debut IPL season with Punjab Kings, Inglis made an immediate impact. He scored 278 runs in 11 innings at an average of 30.88 and an impressive strike rate of 162.57. One of his standout performances was a match-winning 73 off 42 balls from No.3 against a strong Mumbai Indians bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah.
Overall, Inglis has amassed 3,853 runs in 152 T20 innings, averaging 29.86 with a strike rate close to 150. Despite his limited availability for IPL 2026, Lucknow Super Giants will be hoping that his short stint delivers the same explosive impact.
