"He already has got the moon" - Sunil Gavaskar rips into Josh Inglis amid reports of Australian skipping honeymoon to extend availability for IPL 2026

Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar has ripped into Josh Inglis for not being transparent with the Punjab Kings (PBKS) regarding his availability ahead of IPL 2026. With Inglis reportedly informing the Punjab Kings only 45 minutes before the retention deadline about his unavailability for the full season, Gavaskar observed that he has got the moon after a massive increment from last year's contract.

Following Day 1 of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, the keeper-batter admitted that he didn't expect to get bids due to being fully unavailable for the season as he is getting married in April. Although PBKS had released him, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have shelled out ₹8.60 crore to bag Inglis in IPL 2026 auction. But a Cricbuzz report stated that the 30-year-old could be available for more games than initially expected.

Writing in his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar, 76, stated:

"Josh Inglis’s buy for the price he got, despite him not being available for most of the matches has raised the eyebrows of even ABD. His last year’s franchise Punjab Kings is also seemingly unhappy about it because he had informed them of his availability for less than half a dozen matches this season and so they released him from their squad minutes before the retention deadline was over. And now this. Apparently, he will now not go on a honeymoon but come back and play the rest of the tournament after his wedding. Of course, with the honey many times more than his last year’s contract, he already has got the moon. Hasn’t he?"

Inglis had a promising IPL 2025 for PBKS, scoring 278 runs in 11 matches at 30.88 alongside a strike rate of 162.57.

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"I don't think it is very professional" - Ness Wadia slams Josh Inglis

Josh Inglis in action for PBKS during IPl 2025. (Image Credits: Getty)

Speaking to The Hindu recently, PBKS co-owner Ness Wadia revealed that they wanted to retain the keeper-batter but was informed about his availability only for three games 45 minutes before the deadline. Calling the attitude unacceptable, Wadia said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo:

"We didn't really let go of Josh. 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. He said he was going to be available only for a couple of weeks [three games]. We told him he should have informed us earlier. I don't think it was very professional of him. I don't think it is very professional of anyone if they know there is a deadline. You can't call someone 45 minutes before and say, 'Hey, I'm not coming,' especially when he knew that we were retaining him."

PBKS were the runners-up in IPL 2025, losing to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the final.

Edited by Sooryanarayanan Sesha