Punjab Kings (PBKS) co-owner Ness Wadia has publicly criticised Australia wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, accusing him of acting unprofessionally over how he communicated his availability for IPL 2026, a controversy that escalated after Inglis secured a lucrative deal at the auction.

The sharp remarks followed a dramatic sequence of events that left PBKS frustrated and questioning the transparency of the process, with the franchise now considering whether to raise the issue formally with the BCCI.

Punjab Kings wanted to retain Josh Inglis after strong IPL 2025 season

Wadia revealed that Punjab Kings were keen to retain Inglis after his impressive performances during the IPL 2025 season. However, the franchise’s plans were thrown into disarray when they were informed of his limited availability just 45 minutes before the retention deadline.

According to Wadia, Inglis told PBKS he would miss a significant portion of IPL 2026 due to his wedding scheduled for early April, creating uncertainty around his participation. With little time to adjust their strategy, Punjab felt compelled to release him at a base price of ₹2.6 crore, rather than committing a retention slot to a player unavailable for much of the season.

Auction twist leaves PBKS feeling “cheated”

The situation took an awkward turn during the IPL 2026 auction. Inglis initially went unsold in his first set, seemingly confirming Punjab’s concerns about availability. However, his return in the accelerated round sparked a fierce bidding war, culminating in Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) snapping him up for ₹8.6 crore.

For PBKS, the sight of a player deemed “largely unavailable” fetching more than three times his previous contract was difficult to swallow. Wadia described the episode as deeply disappointing, suggesting the franchise felt misled and unfairly disadvantaged.

Wadia indicated that Punjab Kings are exploring the option of approaching the BCCI, framing the issue as one of poor communication rather than auction mechanics. The franchise believes clearer disclosure earlier in the retention window could have changed their decision-making.

Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction – Salary of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) players; check out how much Rishabh Pant and Josh Inglis earn

Josh Inglis: “I didn’t expect big money”

Inglis has sought to defuse the situation, offering his version of events in an interview with ABC Sport. The Australian international said he never anticipated a big-money move, given that his wedding and national commitments would restrict him to only a short stint in IPL 2026.

He claimed he had mentally switched off from the auction after going unsold initially, only to wake up to messages informing him of LSG’s winning bid. According to Inglis, Lucknow’s interest was driven more by long-term planning than expectations of immediate full-season impact.

Also READ: Ashes 2025/26 – Fans erupt as Travis Head hits dazzling century on Day 3 of Adelaide Test

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.