As the IPL 2026 draws closer, teams are finalising their plans but for some players, life beyond cricket is taking priority. Lockie Ferguson, one of the key fast bowlers for Punjab Kings, will not be available at the start of the season and the reason is both simple and heartwarming.
The 34 years old pacer, who was signed for ₹2 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, has decided to stay back home to spend time with his wife and their newborn baby boy. As per reports, Lockie Ferguson is expected to miss the first seven matches of the tournament. In simple terms, he has chosen to be with his family during this special phase rather than rushing back into cricket.
Lockie Ferguson himself shared that he recently became a father and wants to make the most of these early moments, supporting his family before returning to professional commitments later in the season. He is likely to join the squad in the latter half of the IPL 2026 once things settle at home.
Interestingly, despite missing a chunk of the tournament, Lockie Ferguson is not expected to face any penalties. This stands in contrast to what happened with Harry Brook. The England star, who was picked by Delhi Capitals for ₹6.25 crore, had opted out of the IPL 2025 entirely due to personal reasons and was subsequently handed a two-year ban under the IPL rules.
According to the tournament guidelines, players who withdraw completely after being picked in the auction can face strict consequences, including bans from future seasons. However, Lockie Ferguson’s case is different. He is only missing a few matches and plans to return, which is being treated as a planned personal break rather than a violation of contract terms. Because of this, no sanctions are expected.
Lockie Ferguson is not the only fast bowler set to miss the early part of the season. Australia’s pace trio — Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, will also be unavailable initially. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are dealing with injuries, Mitchell Starc’s workload is being carefully managed by the Cricket Australia. All three are expected to join their respective teams later, depending on their recovery and fitness progress.
For Punjab Kings, Lockie Ferguson’s temporary absence will be a challenge but the team remains hopeful of his impact in the latter stages of the tournament.
