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The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction, set for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, presents a significant risk for Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, despite his proven match-winning ability.
Reasons why Josh Inglis from Australia might remain unsold in the IPL 2026 mini auction
As per the Cricbuzz report, Inglis, who previously played a crucial role for the Punjab Kings, has notified the BCCI that he will be available for only a fraction of the tournament, specifically, just 25 per cent, or approximately four matches. This severely restricted availability, coupled with his high base price of INR 2 crore, creates a financial and tactical conundrum that makes it highly probable he will go unsold, as franchises seek full-season returns on their limited overseas slots and auction purse.
The core issue jeopardizing Inglis’s auction prospects is his self-declared availability for only four matches of the IPL 2026 season due to personal commitments, including his wedding plans. For IPL franchises, a high-value overseas player must offer consistency and be a fixture in the playing XI for the entire tournament. Committing a premium auction price, up to or over his INR 2 crore base price, for a player available for only a couple of weeks is an investment that teams are financially incentivised to avoid.
The absence of a top player for the majority of the season forces a team to disrupt its balance, scramble for a replacement (likely an inferior or unproven overseas option), and waste a valuable overseas slot. The report further stated that this concern was already demonstrated when the PBKS, despite Inglis’s superb match-winning innings in the previous season, released him after he informed them of his limited schedule. PBKS coach Ricky Ponting explicitly stated that Inglis’s unavailability for “the majority of the tournament” made his retention “impossible,” setting a precedent that other franchises are likely to follow.
Inglis registers in IPL 2026 mini auction with base price of INR 2 crore
Josh Inglis has chosen the maximum base price of INR 2 crore, placing him in the auction’s elite bracket alongside fully available, high-impact international stars like Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone and Devon Conway. The combination of this premium price tag with his severely limited availability (only 25% of matches) makes his retention cost-prohibitive for virtually all teams, especially those with smaller remaining purses like the Mumbai Indians (INR 2.75 Cr) or Punjab Kings (INR 11.5 Cr).
Moreover, Inglis enters the auction amidst a highly competitive pool of overseas wicketkeeper-batters and power-hitters. Franchises can secure a player with comparable T20 finishing skills who is available for the entire season for the same or even a lower price. Given the strict squad limits (maximum eight overseas players) and the opportunity cost of dedicating a valuable slot to a part-time player, teams are likely to strategically spend their capital on other full-time options, making Inglis an unavoidable auction casualty.
Also READ: Glenn Maxwell issues a touching statement after withdrawing from the IPL 2026 auction
