When Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants suddenly locked horns over Josh Inglis at the auction, there must have been a few puzzled looks back at Punjab Kings’ table. After all, Josh Inglis in IPL 2026 was never supposed to be a headline. The general assumption was that he might even go unsold. Inglis himself had publicly stated that because of his upcoming wedding, his availability would be limited to roughly four matches. So when paddles kept going up, PBKS could only wonder what they were missing, and whether PBKS released Josh Inglis far too hastily.

The Timing That Changed Everything

For the PBKS team owner, the frustration was not about losing a player, but how it happened. Ness Wadia did not mince his words when explaining why PBKS released Josh Inglis just 45 minutes before the retention deadline. Speaking to The Hindu, Wadia said:

“We didn’t really let go of Josh. I mean, Josh unfortunately, sadly, only told us at the last minute, which was not very fair, given that he had been with us for a while.”

He went on to add:

“We told him he should have informed us earlier. I don’t think it was very professional of him. I don’t think it is very professional of anyone if they know there is a deadline.”

From PBKS’ perspective, Josh Inglis in IPL 2026 was always part of their retention plans. But being told, at the eleventh hour, that he would only be available for “a couple of weeks” forced their hand. In that context, PBKS released Josh Inglis not as a cricketing decision, but as a logistical one.

Did SRH And LSG Know More?

Then came the auction drama. SRH and LSG, two franchises with deep Australian connections, went hard for a player officially listed as “largely unavailable”. Naturally, eyebrows were raised. Did they know something PBKS didn’t? Both teams had reasons to gamble. LSG are coached by Justin Langer, with Tom Moody overseeing cricket operations. SRH, meanwhile, are led by Pat Cummins and coached by Daniel Vettori — both closely linked to the Australian setup. The theory was simple: relationships matter, and plans can change.

🚨 Josh Inglis may be available for more IPL games than initially expected!

The Australian wicketkeeper had previously informed the BCCI that he would be available for only 4 games

Inglis was bought by LSG for Rs. 8.6 crore pic.twitter.com/OczWw333jp

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) December 18, 2025

That gamble paid off. Inglis’ price soared, and suddenly Josh Inglis in IPL 2026 was no longer a short-term rental. Reports soon emerged suggesting he may postpone his honeymoon and join his new franchise immediately after the wedding. For PBKS, watching a player they let go reluctantly receive a massive pay rise felt like a cruel twist of fate, especially after PBKS released Josh Inglis believing they had no other choice.

Why This Hurts PBKS So Much?

The sting runs deeper when you look back at 2025. PBKS were one of the most balanced sides in the tournament, finally shedding their reputation for inconsistency. Inglis played a crucial role, scoring 278 runs at a strike rate above 160, including two decisive knocks against Mumbai Indians at the business end of the season.

PBKS officials are unhappy that they were forced to release Inglis at the last minute after he had communicated his limited availability

In fact, PBKS informed the BCCI about Inglis’ release just about 45 minutes before the retention deadline

They now think they did not have… https://t.co/8V1Ywq5LpD pic.twitter.com/52qrnGNVL4

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) December 18, 2025

That campaign took PBKS all the way to the final, their closest brush yet with a maiden IPL title, before falling agonisingly short against RCB. For a franchise still chasing its first trophy, continuity mattered. The PBKS team owner and management believed 2026 was about redemption, not rebuilding. Losing a proven match-winner from that core, especially in such circumstances, was never part of the plan.

Pressure? What pressure? 😏

🎥 Josh Inglis fights fire with fire and takes on Jasprit Bumrah with handsome hits! 💪#PBKS 64/2 after 6 overs.

Updates ▶ https://t.co/vIzPVlDqoC#TATAIPL | #PBKSvMI | #Qualifier2 | #TheLastMile | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/c4Wp2hXcQx

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) June 1, 2025

The irony is hard to ignore. When PBKS released Josh Inglis, he was valued at ₹2.6 crore. Hours later, after the bidding frenzy, he was worth ₹8.6 crore, a staggering jump that completely reframed the narrative around Josh Inglis in IPL 2026. Had PBKS known there was even a chance he would alter his plans, things might have unfolded very differently. Instead, they watched rivals reap the rewards of uncertainty. The possibility that Inglis could now feature in a larger chunk of the season only deepens the sense of grievance within the PBKS camp.

A Question of Loyalty and Timing

Cricket careers are short, and players are entitled to make personal choices. Few would begrudge Inglis for prioritising his wedding. Yet from PBKS’ standpoint, timing is everything. The PBKS team owner made it clear that the issue was not the wedding itself, but the late communication. If Inglis does end up playing more games in Josh Inglis in IPL 2026 than originally stated, PBKS fans will inevitably feel betrayed. A team that stood by him, backed him, and built momentum around him was forced into a decision that now looks painfully one-sided.

Josh Inglis is a Super Giant! 👌

The wicketkeeper-batter will represent @LucknowIPL for INR 8.6 Crore 💪#TATAIPL | #TATAIPLAuction pic.twitter.com/cq5s3rt6jE

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 16, 2025

This saga may yet end with PBKS knocking on the BCCI’s door, seeking clarity on player availability disclosures. More broadly, it raises uncomfortable questions about transparency, trust, and how franchises manage risk. For now, the fact remains: PBKS released Josh Inglis believing they were acting responsibly. Others took a calculated gamble, and won big. Whether Inglis’ revised plans justify that gamble will only become clear once Josh Inglis in IPL 2026 actually unfolds on the field. But for PBKS, the damage is already done, and the sense of “what might have been” will linger well beyond the auction room.