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Josh Inglis IPL 2026 Drama: PBKS Co-Owner Calls Him ‘Not Very Professional’ Over Last-Minute Wedding Conflict

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'Not very professional': PBKS co-owner slams Josh Inglis over IPL 2026 availability

In a rare and pointed public rebuke, Punjab Kings (PBKS) co-owner Ness Wadia has called out Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis for what he describes as “not very professional” conduct regarding his availability for Josh Inglis IPL 2026. The controversy stems from Inglis’s late disclosure that he would be unavailable for a significant portion of the upcoming IPL season due to his wedding—a revelation that came just days before the franchise’s critical player retention deadline.

According to Wadia, PBKS had built its entire retention and auction strategy around Inglis, viewing him as a core part of their rebuilding phase after a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign. The sudden change in plans has not only disrupted their roster planning but also raised questions about communication protocols between players and franchises in the high-stakes IPL ecosystem.

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What Happened: The Josh Inglis IPL 2026 Timeline

Josh Inglis joined Punjab Kings ahead of IPL 2025 as a promising overseas talent with explosive batting credentials. Though PBKS finished near the bottom of the table, Inglis showed flashes of brilliance—earning the team’s trust as a potential long-term asset.

Behind the scenes, PBKS had earmarked Inglis for retention, planning to build their middle order around him in 2026. However, just before the BCCI’s official retention deadline (reportedly December 10, 2025), Inglis informed the management that due to his wedding scheduled for April–May 2026, he would only be available for a limited number of matches—possibly as few as 4–5 games .

For a franchise that had forgone retaining other key players to keep Inglis, this was a major blow.

Ness Wadia’s Reaction: ‘Not Very Professional’

Speaking to the media, Wadia didn’t mince words: “It’s not very professional to wait until the last minute to inform a franchise about such a significant conflict. We structured our entire strategy around him. To learn about his limited availability just before the retention deadline is deeply disappointing.”

Despite his frustration, Wadia softened his tone at the end of the statement: “That said, we wish Josh all the best for his wedding and future. Personal milestones matter—but so does professional responsibility.”

His comments highlight a growing tension in modern cricket: the clash between players’ personal lives and the commercial demands of global T20 leagues.

Josh Inglis IPL 2026 Availability: What We Know

As of now, the exact dates of Inglis’s wedding remain private, but sources close to Cricket Australia suggest it will fall during the core weeks of IPL 2026 (late April to mid-May)—precisely when playoff contention heats up.

Key facts about his situation:

  • Inglis was retained by PBKS for ₹3.2 crore in 2025.
  • He played 10 matches in IPL 2025, scoring 248 runs at a strike rate of 142.
  • PBKS had planned to retain him at a higher price (₹5–6 crore) for 2026.
  • No official statement has yet come from Inglis or his management.

If Inglis is unavailable for more than half the season, PBKS may choose not to retain him—opening the door for other franchises to take a calculated risk in the auction.

How This Impacts Punjab Kings’ Retention Strategy

PBKS’s 2026 rebuild hinges on a stable overseas core. With only four retention slots, every decision carries weight. Losing Inglis as a reliable option forces them to consider alternatives like:

  1. Retaining another overseas batter (e.g., Marcus Stoinis or a new signing).
  2. Prioritizing an all-rounder or specialist fast bowler instead.
  3. Going all-in on young Indian talent and relying on auction picks for overseas slots.

This last-minute uncertainty could cost them dearly in a competitive auction where top-tier international players are snapped up within minutes.

Precedents in IPL: Player Availability Conflicts

Inglis isn’t the first player to clash with IPL schedules. Notable examples include:

  • Pat Cummins (2023): Opted out of full IPL season to focus on World Test Championship; Sunrisers Hyderabad released him early.
  • Ben Stokes (2022): Missed most of the season due to injury and personal break; Rajasthan Royals retained him anyway.
  • David Warner (2019): Faced scheduling issues with international duty but communicated well in advance.

The key difference? Most players disclosed conflicts months ahead. Inglis’s timing—right before the retention deadline—is what stung PBKS the most.

The Bigger Picture: Franchise Trust and Transparency

This incident exposes a gray area in IPL contracts. While the BCCI mandates disclosure of international duty conflicts, personal events like weddings aren’t formally regulated. Yet, for franchises investing crores, such events directly impact ROI.

As the IPL grows into a $10+ billion ecosystem , expectations around communication are evolving. Leading franchises like Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians now include “availability clauses” in personal agreements—ensuring early notice of any potential scheduling issues.

PBKS may now push for similar safeguards, setting a new standard across the league.

Conclusion: Wedding vs. World’s Biggest T20 League?

There’s no denying that a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. But in the cutthroat world of the IPL, timing is everything. Josh Inglis’s personal joy has inadvertently triggered a professional crisis for Punjab Kings. While Ness Wadia’s criticism may seem harsh, it underscores a vital truth: in modern franchise cricket, transparency isn’t just courteous—it’s contractual.

As IPL 2026 approaches, all eyes will be on whether Inglis finds a new team—or if PBKS forgives and retains him with new terms. Either way, this episode will likely change how franchises handle player commitments forever.

Sources

[INTERNAL_LINK:josh-inglis-ipl-career-stats]

[INTERNAL_LINK:pbks-ipl-2026-retention-strategy]

For official IPL policies, visit the IPL Official Website.

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