Inglis Declares Limited Availability for IPL 2026
In 2026, the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction is getting closer to one of the most sought-after names on the list. Josh Inglis stated that, the tournament he’s chosen in the auction, the selection of his squad will be restricted to four games. In an email to BCCI Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Inglis stated that he would be available for approximately 25% of the 2026 season.
Five International Players Announce Restricted Availability
Inglis Alongside the other four international athletesthe likes of Ashton Agar, William Sutherland (both from Australia), Adam Milne (New Zealand) and Rilee Rossouw (South Africa) -have officially announced restricted availability for the coming season in conjunction with the BCCI and placed franchises on the map before the auction.
Breakout IPL 2025 Season With PBKS
In his 30th year, Inglis made a memorable debut as a player with Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 2025 IPL. In just 11 games Inglis recorded 278 runs and an average of 162.57 and demonstrated that he could be a middle order finisher. His display in the game with Mumbai Indians — a rapid 73 runs from just 42 balls helped PBKS to finish in the top two place at the top of their game. The second Qualifier game the captain was even able to take on one of the best death-over bowlers in India, Jasprit Bumrah, taking him down to 20 runs in just one over. It was a remarkable display of perseverance under stress.
Why PBKS Chose Not to Retain Him
Given his fame, Many believed PBKS would retain him into the foreseeable future, possibly even before 2026. However, when the expiration date of the 15th of November in 2025 Inglis along along with other employees was let go.
The reason behind the decision was not due in any way to the performance of Inglis, it was due availability. In the words of PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting, Inglis himself declared that he would have be out for most of the 2026 season, which would make it difficult for a team with a high-end level such as PBKS to keep the player. “Josh is an outstanding player. I would like to have him on our squad in the near future. However, this time was the last time he would be able play all the way through the tournament,” Ponting said.
Reports Suggest Personal Commitments Behind Unavailability
According to some reports the reason for his absence is likely to be due to marriage plans or personal obligations, which might interfere with the schedule for the tournament.
PBKS Strategy Going Forward
Punjab Kings — who made it to the final in 2025 -They have taken the decision to not play without Inglis. The roster they’ve kept has 21 members. In the event of Inglis gone, they’ll enter the auction having the sum of INR 11.5 million cash as well as two slots in the international market.
Uncertain Auction Future for Inglis
For Inglis the moment, his decision is a source of uncertainty. Because he’s part an auction, the team who chooses to sign him must be willing to accept the fact that he’ll only be playing just one to two matches. Due to this, the demands he makes could be moderated especially in a smaller auction, where balance is an important aspect in the selection of a squad.
A High-Impact Player, But for Limited Matches
But, his 2025-season offered a glimpse of the potential he holds. The ability of him to complete innings, play under pressure, and hit with a high strike rate is an attractive attraction for teams but only for teams that require brief bursts of power-hitting, instead of the long-term flexibility.
All Eyes on the December 16, 2025 Auction
The auction is coming to an endscheduled for December 16th 2025 at Abu Dhabi — all focus will be on whether the company is prepared to wager on a player of high-end quality with the possibility of a short-term supply. Inglis’s sudden and open declaration of his status is unique and speaks to a high degree of honesty.
Impact on PBKS and Future Auction Dynamics
For PBKS although they lost an exciting athlete, this announcement offers them a lot of flexibility and flexibility: with slots open in the overseas market and sufficient resources, they can look towards balancing their squad and even target players who are available during the entire season.
However, his open statement about “just 4 games” could affect how teams approach auctions and impact offers for players who aren’t sure about their availability for the upcoming seasons, too.