Josh Inglis Emerges as Lone Bright Spot in Lucknow Super Giants’ Disappointing IPL 2026 Campaign

After another underwhelming IPL season that saw Lucknow Super Giants finish at the bottom of the table, the franchise may be heading toward major changes ahead of IPL 2027. But amid the disappointment, Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis has emerged as one of the few positives for the team.

LSG’s global director of cricket, Tom Moody, admitted after the season that the side struggled to balance performances with both bat and ball.

“Both bat and ball performing at the same time was always a challenge,” Moody said after LSG endured a poor campaign following seventh-place finishes in IPL 2024 and IPL 2025.

Inglis, who was surprisingly released by Punjab Kings after disagreements over his availability due to his wedding during IPL 2026, proved to be one of LSG’s smartest acquisitions. The franchise backed him despite concerns around his availability, and he repaid that faith with a string of impactful performances in the latter half of the season.

Playing only the final five matches of the tournament, Inglis scored 266 runs at a stunning strike rate of 186.01, including three half-centuries. Remarkably, despite featuring in just five games, he finished as LSG’s third-highest run-scorer of the season behind Mitchell Marsh (563 runs) and captain Rishabh Pant (312 runs).

His tally also surpassed contributions from established stars such as Aiden Markram, who scored 231 runs in 11 innings, and Nicholas Pooran, who managed 234 runs in 14 matches.

Former India batter Ambati Rayudu praised Inglis for his adaptability and batting intelligence, describing him as one of the most complete overseas batters in the tournament.

“He’s so versatile,” Rayudu said on ESPNcricinfo TimeOut. “He’s good against slower deliveries, good against every length, and perfectly suited to subcontinent conditions. He plays spin brilliantly, uses lap shots well, hits straight down the ground, and has every shot in the book.”

Rayudu also compared Inglis favourably with Finn Allen of Kolkata Knight Riders, highlighting Inglis’ superior shot selection and ability to score all around the wicket.

“Finn Allen is aggressive but one-dimensional. Josh Inglis is not. He manipulates the field brilliantly and plays spin exceptionally well,” Rayudu added.

Former South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher echoed those sentiments, calling Inglis one of the toughest batters to bowl to during the powerplay.

“There’s a smartness to his cricket,” Boucher said. “He keeps moving the field around and adapts quickly. If bowlers bring fielders up, he hits over them. If they go fuller, he can still hit straight. He’s incredibly difficult to bowl to when he’s confident.”

Despite Inglis’ late-season heroics, LSG’s overall campaign was plagued by inconsistency. Moody admitted the team failed to click collectively, particularly in the batting department.

“The batting didn’t click at all for a large part of the season,” Moody explained. “We didn’t get the dynamic starts we wanted, and our middle order failed to contribute consistently.”

The disappointing campaign has already sparked speculation over significant structural changes within the franchise, including a possible rethink around Pant’s leadership. Moody confirmed that “all things” would be considered during the team’s review process.

However, one thing appears increasingly certain: Inglis has likely done enough to secure a major role in LSG’s future plans. With his aggressive yet intelligent batting style complementing compatriot Marsh perfectly, the Australian could become a key pillar around which the franchise rebuilds for IPL 2027.