The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi was not short of drama, but a controversy involving Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) has taken centre stage. The issue revolves around a last-minute communication about availability that left the franchise fuming and led to an unexpected auction windfall for the player.
The Core of the Controversy: A 45-Minute Notice
According to Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia, the franchise was all set to retain Josh Inglis, who was part of their squad in the previous season. However, in a move that Wadia labelled as "unprofessional," Inglis informed him just 45 minutes before the IPL retention deadline that he would not be available for a crucial 10-14 day period during the upcoming season due to his wedding plans.
Inglis is set to get married on April 18 and had planned a honeymoon immediately after. This would have meant missing a significant chunk of the tournament. "We told him he should have informed us earlier. I don't think it was very professional of him. You can't call someone 45 minutes before and say, 'Hey, I'm not coming', especially when he knew that we were retaining him," Wadia elaborated in an interview with The Hindu.
The Auction Surprise and Shift in Plans
As a direct consequence of this late communication, Punjab Kings released Inglis and did not bid for him during the IPL 2026 auction. The plot thickened when two other franchises entered a fierce bidding war for him. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Sunrisers Hyderabad battled it out before LSG finally secured Inglis's services for a staggering sum of ₹8.6 crore.
This price was substantially higher than what he commanded previously. The lucrative deal appears to have potentially altered Inglis's personal plans. A report from Cricbuzz suggests that the player might now postpone his honeymoon and adjust his schedule to accommodate the IPL season. A source indicated that Inglis could now arrive at the start of the IPL, leave briefly for his wedding, and return promptly to join his new franchise, Lucknow Super Giants.
Franchise Reaction and Future Implications
Ness Wadia's disappointment was palpable. He expressed that the manner of communication was unfair given Inglis's tenure with the team. "We didn't really let go of Josh. I mean, Josh unfortunately, sadly, only told us at the last minute," Wadia stated. While wishing Inglis well as a "fellow human being," he stood firm on his criticism of the player's professionalism.
This incident highlights the complex balance between player commitments and franchise expectations in the high-stakes environment of the IPL. It also raises questions about communication protocols between players and teams during critical retention and auction windows. The controversy has certainly added an extra layer of narrative to Inglis's debut season with the Lucknow Super Giants, where all eyes will be on his performance after this dramatic prelude.
