New Delhi: Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, initially slated for just four IPL matches next year, stands to feature in more games after Lucknow Super Giants shelled out a massive sum for him in the recent auction, sparking concerns within the BCCI and his ex-franchise, Punjab Kings.

Punjab Kings had let Inglis go pre-auction owing to his restricted availability, despite their desire to keep him. BCCI's pre-auction note to the 10 teams explicitly flagged Inglis for only four IPL 2026 outings due to his wedding.

BCCI and IPL Governing Council now eye the matter keenly, suspecting he might reshuffle personal plans to prioritise IPL duties.

Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad waged a fierce bidding duel for the 30-year-old, with LSG clinching him at Rs 8.6 crore—Rs 6 crore above his prior Punjab deal.

The saga has fuelled debate over whether Inglis exploited the scenario, prompting potential BCCI and GC scrutiny.

"The communication was clear (about Inglis' availability for IPL 2026), but we need to check whether anything has changed about his personal plans, or whether those teams knew about his personal plans much more than others," a source tracking events told PTI.

Punjab Kings has not lodged a formal grievance yet.

Inglis' April 18 nuptials and honeymoon would have sidelined him for much of IPL 2026, starting March 26.

Both bidding teams boast strong Australian links: LSG with coach Justin Langer and director Tom Moody; SRH under skipper Pat Cummins, with head coach Daniel Vettori doubling as Australia assistant since 2022.

Neither franchise commented publicly.

"He was going to be out for personal reasons, but that's always subject to change. You never know, people can make different decisions once the auction is done. So, we thought that with the relationship Dan and him have, he could maybe convince him to play a few extra games," SRH bowling coach Varun Aaron remarked post-auction.

Inglis, however, claimed ignorance of his IPL fate till post-auction.

"I don't have full availability this year (IPL 2026). I'm getting married in early April. So, I didn't really expect to go. So, I sort of saw my name go by unsold.

"I was like 'alright, stuff this, I'm going to bed', and I need to switch on for tomorrow (Ashes) and then woke up to the news. I didn't know until I'd seen a few messages this morning," Inglis told ABC Sport after day two of the third Ashes Test versus England in Adelaide.

In IPL 2025, Inglis thrived as an impact player, scoring 278 runs in 11 games at a 163 strike rate, including 73 off 42 against the Mumbai Indians and 38 off 21 in Qualifier 2 to propel PBKS to the final.

With inputs from PTI