Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis attracted strong interest at the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi, with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) eventually securing him for Rs 8.60 crore, well above his base price of Rs 2 crore, despite the player confirming restricted availability for the season.
Limited availability flagged before auction
Ahead of the auction, Inglis had officially informed the BCCI that he would be available for only 25 per cent of IPL 2026, effectively limiting his participation to no more than four matches. The restricted window is due to a combination of international commitments and personal commitments, including his wedding, which had earlier influenced Punjab Kings’ decision to release him.
Inglis was one of five players to declare limited availability for IPL 2026, alongside Ashton Agar, Will Sutherland, Adam Milne, and Rilee Rossouw.
Intense bidding between LSG and SRH
Despite the availability concern, Inglis sparked a bidding war between LSG and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). SRH stayed in the contest aggressively until purse constraints forced them to drop out, allowing LSG to clinch the deal at Rs 8.60 crore.
The aggressive bid underlined how franchises continue to value impact wicketkeeper-batters, even for short stints, especially during crucial phases of the tournament.
Recent IPL form worked in Inglis’ favour
Inglis featured for Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, scoring 278 runs in 11 matches. While the overall numbers were modest, his impact knocks stood out. He produced a match-winning 73 off 42 balls against Mumbai Indians in the final league game, helping Punjab secure a top-two finish.
He further enhanced his reputation in Qualifier 2, where he took on Jasprit Bumrah, smashing 20 runs in a single over to seal Punjab Kings’ place in the final. Those performances played a key role in keeping franchises interested despite his limited availability.
Why LSG went big on Inglis
LSG’s decision to spend heavily on Inglis suggests they are backing him as a short-term impact player, potentially for decisive fixtures rather than the entire league phase. With only a few matches available, Inglis is expected to be deployed in high-pressure games, where his power-hitting and wicketkeeping versatility can tilt outcomes quickly.
At Rs 8.60 crore, Inglis becomes one of the most expensive buys of the auction among players with restricted availability, highlighting how franchises continue to prioritise match-winning ability over duration, especially in a tightly contested IPL landscape.
