3 times an IPL team owner publicly criticized a player ft. Ness Wadia & Josh Inglis

Over the years, one of the biggest T20 leagues, the Indian Premier League (IPL), has also been plagued by controversies. Whether it's Shah Rukh Khan's heated argument with security at Wankhede, or Preity Zinta losing cool at coach Sanjay Bangar, or the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) serving bans for two years.

Several team owners have also landed in controversies owing to their statements or actions towards their players.

In a latest development, Punjab Kings (PBKS) co-owner Ness Wadia claimed that Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis informed the team about his availability details at the last minute. The statement came days after Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) spent a whopping INR 8.6 crore to buy the cricketer after a bidding war with SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH).

As per Cricbuzz, Inglis is only available for four matches in IPL 2026 due to personal reasons.

IPL 2026: Ness Wadia – Josh Inglis (PBKS)

Josh Inglis. Source: Getty

In a shocking statement, Wadia claimed that Inglis shared details about his availability for IPL 2026 with only 45 minutes ahead of the retention deadline. He told The Hindu:

"I think everyone knew when the retention was coming, and we were informed by him 45 minutes before the deadline that he was getting married and needed time to relax and recuperate. He said he was going to be available only for a couple of weeks. We told him he should have informed us earlier. I don't think it was very professional of him.”

He continued:

“I don't think it is very professional of anyone if they know there is a deadline. You can't call someone 45 minutes before and say, 'Hey, I'm not coming,' especially when he knew that we were retaining him.”

“But I wish him all the best. He is a good player, and I am sure he will do well for Australia. And let's see whether he plays in the IPL or not. I wish him all the best because he is a fellow human being. But the manner in which he behaved was not very professional," he added.

Josh Inglis amassed 278 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 162.57 in his maiden IPL season with Punjab.

Here are other similar incidents in the IPL:

IPL 2024: Sanjiv Goenka – KL Rahul (LSG)

KL Rahul. Source: Getty

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka had indirectly lashed out at skipper KL Rahul ahead of IPL 2025 retentions. Goenka said that he wants players with a winning mindset. The remarks came after the Super Giants finished seventh in the IPL 2024 points table with seven wins in 14 league games. The 64-year-old said (via ESPNcricinfo):

“We had a very simple mindset to go in with players who have a mindset to win, who put the team before their personal goals and aspirations.”

“And we wanted to retain as much core as possible within our available purse,” he added.

Notably, Goenka was seen in an animated chat after LSG lost to SRH by 10 wickets during IPL 2024. Notably, the SunRisers achieved the 166-run target in 9.4 overs. Having said that, Rahul finished as the leading run-getter for LSG that season, scoring 520 runs at a strike rate of 136.12, including four half-centuries.

Later in 2025, KL Rahul didn't shake hands after guiding the Delhi Capitals to a thumping win over LSG.

IPL 2020: N Srinivasan – Suresh Raina (CSK)

Suresh Raina. Source: Getty

The Super Kings co-owner N Srinivasan had publicly criticized Suresh Raina for pulling out of IPL 2020 amid COVID-19, which forced the organizers to shift the tournament to the UAE. He told The Times of India (via ESPNcricinfo):

“The season has not begun yet, and Raina will certainly realise what he is missing and certainly all the money he is going to lose.”

“Important to understand what Suresh is going through right now and give him space. The franchise will always stand by him, and he has our complete support in these times of distress.”

As per reports, Raina pulled out of IPL 2020 following a tragic family incident in Punjab. After his uncle's murder, his family was in a state of shock. Raina returned from the UAE to India to be with his family. He then played for the Super Kings during IPL 2021 when they won their fourth title. It was also his last IPL season after a below-par performance with the bat, managing 160 runs in 11 innings.