Josh Inglis Sparks Controversy After Big IPL Bid Despite Limited Availability
Josh Inglis' Unexpected IPL Auction Outcome
New Delhi: Australian cricketer Josh Inglis, who was expected to participate in only four matches of the upcoming IPL season, has stirred up a storm after receiving a substantial bid from the Lucknow Super Giants during the recent player auction. This unexpected turn of events has raised eyebrows within the BCCI and his previous team, Punjab Kings.
Prior to the auction, Punjab Kings had released Inglis due to his limited availability, despite their interest in keeping him on the roster. The BCCI had previously communicated to all ten franchises that Inglis would only be available for four matches in IPL 2026 due to his wedding.
The BCCI and IPL Governing Council are now closely observing the situation, as there are speculations that Inglis might adjust his personal plans to accommodate IPL commitments.
A bidding war erupted between Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 30-year-old player, with Lucknow ultimately securing him for ₹8.6 crore, significantly higher than his previous contract with Punjab Kings.
This situation has sparked discussions about whether Inglis exploited the circumstances, prompting the BCCI and IPL Governing Council to investigate further.
"The communication regarding Inglis' availability was clear, but we need to verify if there have been any changes to his personal plans or if the teams had prior knowledge of his situation," a source close to the developments stated.
As of now, Punjab Kings have not filed an official complaint.
Inglis is set to marry on April 18, followed by a honeymoon, which would conflict with a significant portion of IPL 2026, starting March 26.
Both Lucknow and Sunrisers have a strong Australian presence in their teams, with Justin Langer and Tom Moody coaching Lucknow, while Sunrisers are led by current Australian captain Pat Cummins.
Daniel Vettori, the head coach of Sunrisers, has also been serving as an assistant coach for the Australian men's team since 2022.
Despite the controversy, neither team has publicly commented on the matter.
"He was supposed to be unavailable for personal reasons, but circumstances can change. Once the auction concludes, players might reconsider their decisions. We thought that given the relationship between Dan and him, he might be persuaded to play a few extra matches," remarked SRH bowling coach Varun Aaron post-auction.
Inglis, however, indicated that he learned about his new IPL contract only after the auction had ended.
"I won't have full availability this year (IPL 2026) due to my wedding in early April. I didn't expect to be picked, so I was surprised to see my name go unsold initially," Inglis shared with ABC Sport after the second day of the ongoing Ashes Test against England in Adelaide.
Inglis had a notable performance in IPL 2025, scoring 278 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 163, including a standout 73 off 42 balls against Mumbai Indians and a crucial 38 off 21 balls in Qualifier 2, helping Punjab Kings reach the final.