Punjab Kings (PBKS) co-owner Ness Wadia has publicly criticized Australian wicket-keeper batter Josh Inglis for what he deems "unprofessional" behavior in the lead-up to the IPL 2026 auction. Wadia's sharp words follow Inglis's last-minute disclosure of his limited availability for the upcoming season, a decision stemming from his wedding plans in early April 2026.

Inglis, who was a key player for PBKS in IPL 2025, scoring 278 runs in 11 matches with a striking strike rate of 162.57, was released by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2026 auction due to concerns regarding his availability. Head coach Ricky Ponting had previously stated that Inglis would only be available for a limited number of games. Despite this limited availability, Inglis surprisingly triggered a bidding war at the auction, eventually being picked up by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a substantial INR 8.60 crore.

Wadia expressed his disappointment, stating that Inglis informed the franchise of his unavailability a mere 45 minutes before the retention deadline. He emphasized that franchises make significant investments with the expectation of full player availability, particularly for high-value players. Wadia felt it was "unfair" of Inglis to inform them so late, considering his prior association with the team. He highlighted the importance of transparency and professionalism in a league like the IPL, where team planning and balance are heavily reliant on player availability.

"We didn't really let go of Josh," Wadia told Sportstar. "I mean, Josh unfortunately, sadly, only told us at the last minute, which was not very fair given that he had been with us for a while. I think everyone knew when the retention was coming, and we were informed by him 45 minutes before the deadline that he was getting married and needed time to relax and recuperate".

Despite his criticism, Wadia wished Inglis well for the future. "But I wish him all the best. He is a good player and I am sure he will do well for Australia. And let's see whether he plays in the IPL or not. I wish him all the best because he is a fellow human being. But, the manner in which he behaved was not very professional," Wadia added.

Inglis, in an interview with ABC Sport, admitted that he did not expect to be picked in the IPL 2026 auction due to his limited availability. He stated, "I watched a lot of it (IPL auction) and I was pushed back in the pecking order. I don't have full availability this year. I didn't expect to go, to be honest. I see my name go by unsold, so I went to bed…".

LSG's decision to acquire Inglis despite his limited availability has raised eyebrows, but some analysts believe it could be a shrewd long-term move. With Inglis only expected to play a maximum of four games, LSG may be banking on his potential future contributions and the possibility of retaining him for subsequent seasons.