Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis has made headlines by confirming that his personal life will take precedence over the upcoming IPL 2026 season. Despite being bought for a massive INR 8.6 crore by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the recent mini-auction, the star player will miss a significant portion of the tournament to get married.
IPL 2026 is scheduled to run from March 26 to May 31. However, Josh Inglis revealed that his wedding is set for early April. Speaking to ABC Sport, Inglis admitted he didn’t expect to be picked up at the auction due to his limited availability.
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“I didn’t really expect to go, to be honest,” he said, noting that he had actually gone to sleep thinking he had gone unsold before waking up to news of the high-value deal.
While LSG is excited to welcome him, his former team, Punjab Kings (PBKS), expressed disappointment. PBKS co-owner Ness Wadia criticized the timing of the player’s communication. According to Wadia, Josh Inglis informed the franchise about his wedding and need for “recuperation” just 45 minutes before the retention deadline.
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Wadia labeled the move “not very professional,” claiming the team intended to retain him until the last-minute update that he would only be available for about three games. Despite the friction, Wadia wished him well, acknowledging his talent on the field.
At LSG, Josh Inglis will reunite with coach Justin Langer, his former mentor at the Perth Scorchers. LSG won a bidding war against Sunrisers Hyderabad to secure the Australian, who previously impressed in the IPL by scoring 278 runs at a strike rate of 162.57.
Known for his ability to take down elite bowlers, his presence—even for a limited window—remains a major boost for the Lucknow squad.