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Josh Inglis fools Ricky Ponting to secure Punjab Kings release, later joins LSG for IPL 2026

Akshita Patel

Josh Inglis' availability turns into controversy [Source: @kumarmanoj_11, @SideHuman17/X.com]Josh Inglis' availability turns into controversy [Source: @kumarmanoj_11, @SideHuman17/X.com]

Josh Inglis, the Australian wicket-keeper, was sold to LSG for ₹8.60 crores during the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Initially expected to play only 4 matches, Inglis has apparently reaffirmed his availability for the entire IPL season.

Punjab Kings, led by Ricky Ponting, decided to release Inglis before the IPL 2026 auction due to his unavailability for the entire season.

Though Inglis has made vital contributions in the second half of IPL 2025, the management of PBKS estimated that the Australian wicket-keeper is likely to be absent for a major part of the forthcoming tournament. 

Did Josh Inglis deceive PBKS?

To be precise, Josh Inglis was expected to play only four games in IPL 2026. Ricky Ponting even publicly stated that limited availability played a key role in the decision to release the wicket-keeper, as PBKS aimed to free up overseas slots for the auction.

But the tables turned during the auction. Inglis triggered a bidding war, and Lucknow Super Giants won to buy him for ₹8.60 crores. First, the high bid raised a lot of eyebrows.

However, LSG official Shashwat Goenka later claimed that his team wanted to go after Liam Livingstone but ran out of money as he was sold for ₹13 crores.

Then, LSG decided to buy Josh Inglis for ₹8.60 crores because, apparently, head coach Justin Langer confirmed that the wicket-keeper will be available for the entire IPL 2026 season.

The revelation has caused a stir, especially among PBKS fans, as it contradicts the information that had influenced his release. 

However, Inglis is yet to confirm this development, and his availability for the IPL 2026 season still remains uncertain.  

"We wanted to buy Livingstone, but our purse did not allow it. We received confirmation from Langer that Inglis would be available for the entire season, so we bid for him at the en," Shashwat Goenka said while speaking to the broadcaster, Star Sports.

LSG secure Nortje, Hasaranga

Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants also bought Wanindu Hasaranga and Anrich Nortje in the IPL 2026 auction for ₹2 crores each. They also invested in domestic options such as pacer Naman Tiwari and young batter Akshat Raghuvanshi. 

PBKS, meanwhile, had a quiet day. They had their core settled and just secured Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Pravin Dubey and Vishal Nishad.