Auckland, March 20 -- New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson is set to miss the early stages of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 for Punjab Kings (PBKS), according to ESPNcricinfo.

Previously, the right-arm pacer took a short paternity leave during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, to spend some time with his family before rejoining the New Zealand side for the Super Eight stage.

Nine days after the T20 World Cup final against India in Ahmedabad, Ferguson displayed a brilliant performance with the ball against Hamilton, where he took 3/16 in New Zealand's series-levelling win against South Africa in the second T20I of the five-match series.

After the third T20I at Eden Park, his home ground, Ferguson will ...