Lucknow Super Giants pulled off something surprising at the IPL 2026 auction. They bought Josh Inglis for ₹8.6 crore despite his limited availability. The Australian wicketkeeper can play only four matches this season. His wedding plans clash with the IPL 2026 schedule.
The Shocking Auction Drama
Josh Inglis entered the auction with a ₹2 crore base price. Many experts thought teams might skip him this time. After all, who pays big money for just 4 games? But the auction room had different plans that day.
Lucknow Super Giants started the bidding war aggressively. Other franchises joined in quickly too. The price kept climbing higher and higher. Finally, LSG sealed the deal at ₹8.6 crore. That’s more than four times his base price. Everyone watching couldn’t believe what just happened there.
Punjab Kings had released Inglis before this auction started. They probably hoped to get him cheaper later. Maybe they thought his wedding situation would lower his value. That gamble clearly didn’t work out for them.
Why Teams Wanted Inglis So Badly
Josh Inglis has built a massive reputation in T20 cricket worldwide. He smashes bowlers consistently across different leagues. His wicketkeeping skills add extra value to any team. Teams don’t find such complete packages easily nowadays.
LSG understood something important about the IPL 2026 format. Those first four matches matter hugely for tournament momentum. A strong start can change everything for a team. Inglis brings exactly that kind of explosive impact upfront.
His batting style suits the modern T20 game perfectly. He attacks from ball one without hesitation. The strike rate stays high throughout his innings. Plus, he can keep wickets brilliantly behind the stumps.
What This IPL 2026 Auction Deal Tells Us
This auction move shows how IPL franchises think now. They value quality over quantity these days. Four matches from a star player beat ten average performances. LSG made a bold statement with this purchase.
The ₹8.6 crore price tag might seem crazy to some people. But elite T20 players always command premium prices. Inglis falls into that elite category without doubt. His wedding won’t stop him from delivering match-winning knocks.
Lucknow Super Giants took a calculated risk here. They believe those four games will be worth every rupee spent. Cricket fans will watch his brief IPL 2026 stint very closely now.
