In the high-stakes world of IPL auctions, every move tells a story—and the saga of Josh Inglis is one of missed signals, big money, and a bidding war that left Punjab Kings fuming.
Josh Inglis first made his mark with the Punjab Kings (PBKS) during the IPL 2025 season, joining the franchise at the mega auction for a steal at INR 2.60 crore. The Australian wicket-keeper batter quickly became a fan favorite, playing 11 matches and lighting up the top order with his explosive hitting. His fiery performances were instrumental in PBKS reaching the final that season, and the franchise was eager to keep him in their plans for the upcoming campaign.
However, ahead of the IPL 2026 player retention deadline, Inglis reportedly informed PBKS that he would be unavailable for the majority of the season due to his upcoming wedding. Trusting this communication, PBKS made the difficult decision to release him before the mini-auction, reshaping their strategy without their star batter.
But when the IPL 2026 mini-auction rolled around, PBKS got a shock—Inglis's name was on the list. The real sting came when Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) entered a fierce bidding war for the Australian, ultimately securing his services for a whopping INR 8.60 crore. That's more than triple what PBKS paid for him just a year earlier.
The Punjab Kings were left seething, alleging a clear miscommunication from Inglis's camp. After the auction, PBKS co-owner Ness Wadia didn't hold back, telling The Hindu: "Josh unfortunately, sadly, only told us at the last minute, which was not very fair given that he had..."—the implication being that the franchise felt blindsided by a player they had trusted.
For LSG, landing Inglis at INR 8.60 crore is a statement of intent. The Aussie batter's reputation as a dynamic top-order T20 hitter makes him a valuable asset, and the Super Giants will be hoping he can replicate his 2025 form in their colors. As for PBKS, they're left wondering what could have been—and nursing a bruised sense of loyalty in the cutthroat auction room.