Two weeks after his wedding, Josh Inglis joins LSG as Breetzke flies home
Lucknow Super Giants confirmed on Friday that Josh Inglis has formally joined the squad for the rest of IPL 2026, with Matthew Breetzke flying back to South Africa for personal reasons. Inglis was contracted at the December auction for Rs 8.60 crore but had been unavailable from the start of the season; he is now cleared to play LSG's next fixture against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede on Monday.
The Australian wicketkeeper-batter sat out the first half of the IPL on his own request after his wedding in Margaret River, Western Australia on 18 April. With those plans now behind him, Inglis is free to play out the run-in of a season that has so far seen LSG slip to the bottom of the table.
Why LSG turned to Inglis
This is not Inglis's first IPL. He spent last season at Punjab Kings, where he made 278 runs in 11 innings at an average of 25.27 and a strike rate of 162.57, ending the year as one of the team's most consistent middle-order finishers. Punjab released him before the 2026 auction on the understanding that his start to the season would be disrupted; LSG bid for him knowing the same.
Rishabh Pant remains LSG's first-choice wicketkeeper as captain, so Inglis will most likely slot in as a pure batter and only take the gloves in an emergency. The franchise has been short of overseas runs all season, and Inglis offers the late-overs hitting profile LSG paid for in the auction window.
The Breetzke exit
Breetzke was already absent from LSG's home tie against Kolkata Knight Riders on 26 April, the match that went to a Super Over and ended in a defeat. He had returned to South Africa shortly before the game following a family bereavement. The decision to formally end his IPL 2026 was confirmed on Friday.
The South African batter had been signed by LSG at the 2025 mega auction for Rs 75 lakh and made limited appearances this season as an uncapped overseas option, with a top score of 14. His departure leaves the squad with one fewer alternative at the top of the order ahead of the trip to Wankhede.
What it means for LSG's playoff push
LSG sit at the foot of the IPL 2026 table on four points, and Monday's game at Wankhede is one of their last realistic chances to keep the season alive. With Hardik Pandya's Mumbai also stuck on four points, the win is exactly the kind LSG must collect if they are to avoid an early exit. Inglis has only days to settle in, but he arrives in form and with a clear job to do at the top of the order.
Cricket Updates
