Why did Punjab Kings release Josh Inglis ahead of IPL 2026? Reason Explained

Published - 15 Nov 2025, 19:28 IST | Updated - 15 Nov 2025, 19:59 IST

Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis was released by the Punjab Kings (PBKS) ahead of the mini auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. PBKS, who ended as runners-up in the previous season of the all-important T20 tournament, will be going without Inglis, as he will also not be registering for the auction, to be held on December 16 in Abu Dhabi.

A source has confirmed that the star Australian cricketer has cited personal reasons to the franchise right on the day of the retentions' deadline. And as a matter of fact, even though PBKS wanted to retain Inglis for the upcoming season, the stumper-batter has informed the franchise of his decision to not take part in the 2026 edition due to personal reasons, with reports of him getting married also surfacing.

PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting also expressed that it is indeed not a very happy moment for the franchise, but the player has himself insisted on keeping him out of the retentions list, as he will be unavailable due to familial reasons.

"Josh is a terrific player. I would have loved to have had him as part of our squad going forward. But this year he wasn't going to be available for the majority of the tournament. So for that reason, I found it pretty much impossible to be able to retain him," Ponting said in an official statement by PBKS after the retentions were announced.

Now the focus will shift to the auction ahead of the 2026 season, as the franchise will look to find a perfect replacement for the departing Inglis and make amends here and there to go the distance this time round. On the day of the auction, Preity Zinta, Ness Wadia, and Ponting will be among other representatives of PBKS at the table, as they enter with a purse of INR 11.5 crore and up to four player spots to be filled.

Shreyas Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Hurnoor Pannu, Musheer Khan, Vishnu Vinod, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Suryansh Shedge, Lockie Ferguson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yash Thakur, Xavier Bartlett,

Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen, Kyle Jamieson, Pravin Dubey