IPL 2026: Josh Inglis ditches PBKS, set to be available for more than 4 games for LSG after postponing his honeymoon

Josh Inglis fetched a massive 8.6 Cr by LSG, after going unsold in the first round.

Josh Inglis was one of the main architects behind Punjab Kings‘ (PBKS) sensational run at Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. His incredible performance, particularly in the Qualifier 2 contest against Mumbai Indians (MI), where he belted some of the best bowlers in the world currently, including Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult, made him a hot sensation.

The Australian wicket keeper was going to be a certainty in the playing 11 for the PBKS unit in IPL 2026, but did not feature in their retention list. Coach Ricky Ponting later confirmed, that Inglis will feature in only four matches this year, with his wedding set to be held on April 18, and his honeymoon immediately afterward.

As a result, he would be available for only 10-14 days in late May. That’s why PBKS was forced to release him, but a recent update has the franchise peeved, and are now set to approach the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the same.

PBKS owner lashes out at Josh Inglis for his unprofessionalism

Having registered himself at 2 Cr, Inglis went unsold in the first round. However, in the accelerated round, he caused a bidding war, with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) winning the bid for a massive 8.6 Cr. While this seemed overpriced at that point in time, given Inglis’ availability, new reports now emerge. Inglis is now expected to return for IPL immediately after his wedding, thereby postponing his honeymoon plans.

It is now come to light that PBKS decided to release Inglis only 45 minutes prior to the retention announcement deadline. Inglis’ communication has now left the PBKS management disappointed and angry, with co-owner Ness Wadia, calling Inglis’ behaviour, “unprofessional”.

“We didn’t really let go of Josh. I mean, Josh unfortunately, sadly, only told us at the last minute, which was not very fair, given that he had been with us for a while. I think everyone knew when the retention was coming, and we were informed by him 45 minutes before the deadline that he was getting married and need to time to relax and recuperate. He said he was going to be available only for a couple of weeks.”

Wadia further added, “We told him he should have informed us earlier. I don’t think it was very professional of him. I don’t think it is very professional of anyone if they know there is a deadline. You can’t call someone 45 minutes before and say, ‘Hey, I’m not coming,’ especially when he knew that we were retaining him.”

“But I wish him all the best. He is a good player and I am sure he will do well for Australia. And let’s see whether he plays in the IPL or not. I wish him all the best because he is a fellow human being. But, the manner in which he behaved was not very professional,” he concluded.

Josh Inglis at LSG

Josh Inglis now finds himself at LSG, where he joins a formidable pool of overseas players including Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh. With Wanindu Hasaranga and Anrich Nortje joining the squad, Inglis might not be guaranteed a place in the final 12, but his move helped him fetch a handsome fee, significantly more than the 3 cr he would have earned had he been retained by PBKS.

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