IPL 2026: What happened regarding Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Josh English in the IPL 2026 auction surprised everyone. After being released by Punjab Kings, it was believed that English would be able to play only a few matches due to marriage and honeymoon. However, on the day of the auction, there was tremendous bidding between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants and finally Lucknow bought him for Rs 8.6 crore. This huge amount changed the entire picture regarding the availability of English.

Decision on marriage and honeymoon may change

According to reports, Josh English is going to get married on April 18 and the plan was to have a honeymoon after that. However, now there is a possibility that he may postpone the honeymoon. Sources say that English may come to India at the beginning of the IPL season, then go back for a short time for the wedding and after that will join the team again. After such a big bid, his move can be a news of relief for both the franchise and the fans.

Team management was already ready

According to the report of Cricbuzz, Lucknow Super Giants coach Justin Langer and director Tom Moody were better aware of English’s condition. At the same time, Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Daniel Vettori and captain Pat Cummins also seemed confident about his availability. SRH bowling coach Varun Aaron said that after the auction, players often rethink their personal decisions and the same can happen with English.

Punjab Kings’ displeasure

Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia had already expressed his displeasure over this entire matter. He said that English informed about his unavailability just 45 minutes before the retention deadline, which was not professional attitude at all. The team wanted to retain him, but due to last-minute notice they had to release him.

LSG can get big benefit

If Josh English really decides to play the entire season in IPL 2026, then it will be great news for Lucknow Super Giants. His aggressive batting and wicket-keeping skills can give the team a strong lead in the tournament.

IPL 2026 Mini Auction Update: A 5-match T20 series will be played between India and South Africa from December 9, 2025. Amidst this series, everyone is also eagerly waiting for the mini auction to be held for IPL 2026. A mini auction for the next season of IPL is going to be organized at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on 16th December this month. This time 1355 players have registered themselves for the auction, out of which only a few players will be able to reach the auction table. Among them, there is one player who has set his price the highest, but he will come to play only 4 matches and that player is Australia’s wicketkeeper batsman Josh English.

IPL auction details

Recently the registration window for the auction to be held on December 16 for IPL 2026 was closed. During this period, a total of 1355 players registered their names for the auction. Under the rules of IPL, along with registration, every player also informed his base price, the price at which bidding will start on him during the auction. For the last several years, the highest base price in IPL has been Rs 2 crore and this time also more than 40 players have kept their base price at Rs 2 crore.

Josh English will come to IPL to play only 4 matches

Australian player Josh Inglis, who was released by Punjab Kings before the auction, has also registered for this mini auction and has kept his base price at Rs 2 crore. Regarding English, it has been told in the Cricbuzz report that he has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his availability for the IPL season. English has told the Indian board that he will be available only for 4 matches. Despite this, English has kept its base price at Rs 2 crore.

What is the reason for English not playing the entire IPL season?

Josh English was a part of Punjab Kings last season. He performed well for Punjab and played a big role in taking the team to the finals. Despite this, Punjab released him. However, later the reason for this was revealed that English is going to get married during the IPL season next year and in such a situation he will not be available for the entire season.