Josh Inglis Set to Join LSG Before MI Clash – Six Matches to Save Their Season
Josh Inglis is finally heading to India. The Australian wicketkeeper-batter is expected to link up with Lucknow Super Giants ahead of their May 4 fixture against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium, and he could play all six remaining group matches.
LSG bought him at the auction knowing he would miss the first half of the tournament. His wedding was the reason, and the timing made that unavoidable. He got married on April 18 and is taking a short break before flying out to join the squad. ESPNcricinfo first broke the news on April 20.
For LSG right now, this is genuinely big news.
Why LSG Need Inglis So Badly Right Now
Lucknow are sitting in eighth place on the IPL 2026 points table with just two wins from six matches. The season is slipping away fast. When a team has this little room for error, any quality addition matters, and Inglis is not just any overseas pickup.
Here is a quick look at where LSG stand right now and what the final six matches could mean for them:
| Stat | Current Figure |
|---|---|
| Position on Table | 8th |
| Matches Played | 6 |
| Wins | 2 |
| Points | 4 |
| Remaining Group Matches | 6 |
A player like Inglis, who scores at 162-plus strike rate and can take on bowling attacks from ball one, is exactly the kind of batter teams need when chasing steep totals or setting ones.
What Inglis Brings to the Table
Last season with Punjab Kings, Inglis scored 278 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 162.57. That included a 73 off 42 balls against Mumbai Indians. He was part of a Kings side that reached the final, and his contributions at the top of the order were a key reason why.
LSG paid INR 8.6 crore for him at the mega auction, which was well above his base price of INR 2 crore. Even SRH were involved in the bidding before dropping out due to budget constraints. The fact that two franchises fought that hard for a player with confirmed limited availability tells you everything about how the IPL values his kind of game.
| Season | Team | Matches | Runs | Strike Rate | High Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2025 | Punjab Kings | 11 | 278 | 162.57 | 73* vs MI |
| IPL 2026 | LSG | TBC | – | – | – |
His T20 overall numbers are equally strong, with 3,853 runs in 162 matches at a strike rate close to 150, including 20 half-centuries and four hundreds. He is also one of only four Australian cricketers to have scored centuries across all three international formats.
The Overseas Puzzle LSG Need to Solve
This is where it gets interesting. The LSG squad currently features Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, and George Linde as the primary overseas options. LSG have not always been playing four overseas players in the XI, so someone will likely have to make way.
Pooran is the name most people are pointing to. He has managed just 51 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 80, which is well below what you expect from someone of his quality. Inglis coming in could push the team management to make a tough call.
There is also the Anrich Nortje situation to factor in. The South African fast bowler left the LSG camp last week and the reason has not been made public. His absence already changed the overseas balance, and Inglis arriving just shifts things further.
Check the full IPL 2026 schedule to see which six matches Inglis could feature in and how critical each one is for LSG’s playoff picture.
Can Six Matches Be Enough?
Realistically, yes, if LSG play their best cricket. Six wins from six would give them 16 points total, which has historically been enough to make the playoffs. It is not the most comfortable position to be in, but it is not impossible either.
The May 4 game against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede is a tough place to start. Mumbai have been one of the stronger sides this season and their home conditions suit their bowling attack. But it is also the kind of big-stage game where Inglis tends to perform, given his 73 against the same side at the same venue last year.
If Rishabh Pant’s men can find some consistency in the batting, and Inglis slotting in at the top gives them that extra firepower, the back half of their season becomes genuinely exciting.
Follow all the latest IPL 26 squad updates and breaking news as the Inglis situation develops over the next two weeks.
FAQs
When is Josh Inglis joining LSG in IPL 2026?
Inglis is expected to join Lucknow Super Giants before their May 4 match against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium.
Why did Josh Inglis miss the first half of IPL 2026?
He was absent due to his wedding, which took place on April 18. He is spending some time away before travelling to India.
How many matches will Josh Inglis play for LSG in IPL 2026?
He could feature in the final six group stage matches for LSG, depending on the team’s combination and squad decisions.
How much did LSG pay for Josh Inglis at the IPL 2026 auction?
Lucknow Super Giants secured Inglis for INR 8.6 crore at the mega auction, well above his base price of INR 2 crore.
What are Josh Inglis’s IPL stats?
In IPL 2025 with Punjab Kings, Inglis scored 278 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 162.57, with a top score of 73 against Mumbai Indians.
Will Nicholas Pooran be dropped when Inglis joins LSG?
Nothing is confirmed, but Pooran has struggled for form this season with just 51 runs from six innings. The management will likely reassess the overseas combination once Inglis is available.
