After Josh Inglis got a huge ₹8.6 crore bid in the IPL 2026 auction, people are wondering if he will even be around to play.

Sure, the IPL 2026 auction had some crazy moments, but Inglis getting so much money really got people talking. He is an Aussie wicketkeeper-batter who’s known for hitting the ball hard and being able to play well no matter the game. It was a shock to see him get such a big payday, but almost as soon as the auction ended, people started wondering if Inglis would actually be free for the entire IPL 2026 season.

Inglis is now a big deal in cricket. He has become a solid middle-order batter who can score runs fast and he is also a great wicketkeeper. He played well in T20 leagues and for his country, which made him popular with the teams looking for a versatile player. But now that might cause problems for IPL teams. Okay

An international game could be in the way.

The main worry is that Australia has a lot of international cricket planned for 2026. There’s the ICC T20 World Cup later that year, plus several other series. Cricket Australia will likely want to keep a close watch on how much its best. Players are playing. Inglis is now an important part of the Aussie team in the shorter forms of the game, so he won’t be someone they just ignore.

In the past, we have missed parts of the IPL because of national team duties, injuries, and training camps. Inglis might be the next player whose availability is up in the year, which makes teams wonder if he really worth. 8.6 crore.

How much he plays matters.

Another thing is, how much Inglis will be playing? Being a wicketkeeper batter is hard on the body so he could get tired or hurt. Cricket Australia has been careful in the past, resting players before big tournaments even if it means they cannot play in Other leagues.

Since Inglis is important to Australia's T20 plans, they might want him to skip some of the IPL or not play at all if he is not feeling 100%. Fans and experts are already arguing about this, with many saying that teams need to think about the international schedule before bidding so much money on players.

Franchise problems after spending Big.

The teams spending 8.6 crore show they really believe in Inglis. Teams don’t spend that much on someone they just see as a backup. But if Inglis is not available for a big part of the season, it could mess up the team's balance, strategy and who is in charge.

It's never easy to replace a player like Inglish in the middle of the season. He is a powerful hitter, makes smart choices and he is a reliable wicketkeeper. Those skills are hard to find, especially since there are only a few spots for overseas players.

Inglis is not talking, which makes things worse.

Inglis has not said anything about whether he will be available for the IPL 2026 season. This has only made the rumours worse. Players usually wait for the official schedule before making promises, but fans and teams want to know what’s going on.

What’s next?

In the end, whether Josh Inglis plays in IPL 2026 might depend on how Cricket Australia balances national team games with league commitments. He’s getting paid a lot because he is a good player, but. There are real worries about how often he will be available

Right now, the team and fans can only hope that the schedule workout and that Inglis plays for a good part of the season. Until then, people will keep asking one question. Will Josh Inglis really be there when it counts?