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Australia's star wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis has officially confirmed his restricted availability for the upcoming IPL 2026 season, just weeks after he was released by the Punjab Kings despite a strong performance in the 2025 season. As per a Cricbuzz report, Inglis has informed the BCCI that he will only be available for a total of four matches in the new campaign. His limited participation is due to his wedding, which is scheduled to take place during the IPL window.
Josh Inglis confirms limited availability for IPL 2026
This constraint on Inglis's time directly influenced the Punjab Kings' late decision to release him on the final day of the retention deadline. While PBKS—who retained 21 players from their 2025 runner-up squad—were initially interested in keeping him, head coach Ricky Ponting confirmed that retaining a player who would miss the majority of the season was illogical for the team's balance.
Inglis is one of 1,355 players who have registered for the IPL 2026 Auction, scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi. Five registered players, including Inglis, have informed the BCCI about their restricted availability. The list also includes Ashton Agar, William Sutherland, Adam Milne, and Rilee Rossouw, all citing partial participation due to a mix of international commitments and personal reasons. Inglis, who is currently involved in the Ashes Test at the Gabba, stated he would be available for only 25% of the season, equating to approximately two weeks or four games. Despite this significant limitation, the 30-year-old has chosen to list himself with a base price of INR 2 crore.
Inglis' stellar2025 IPL Campaign
Despite his eventual release, Josh Inglis had a powerful run for the Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 season. He featured in 11 games, accumulating 278 runs at a strong average of 30.88 and a robust strike rate of 162.57. His standout performances were crucial in the latter stages of the tournament, helping his team secure a top-two spot and advance deep into the playoffs.
Inglis' most impactful innings came in Punjab's final league match against the Mumbai Indians, where he hammered 73 runs off just 42 balls, a match-winning knock that helped the Kings finish high on the points table. He followed this up with another vital contribution in Qualifier 2 against the same opposition, demonstrating his aggressive intent by taking on the pace of Jasprit Bumrah and scoring a remarkable 20 runs from a single over. These late-season heroics underscored his value as a match-winner, making his restricted availability for IPL 2026 all the more significant.
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