Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have suffered a major setback in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, with Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out due to injury.
The development was confirmed by LSG’s director of cricket, Tom Moody, who revealed that the franchise is already in the process of finalising a replacement, expected to be announced within the next 24 to 48 hours.
“We are preparing for the fact that he isn’t going to be able to join us,” Moody said while speaking during LSG’s clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Kolkata. “We are looking at replacements, and that should be announced soon.”
Hasaranga has been out of action since suffering a left hamstring tear during Sri Lanka’s opening game of the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
His situation was further complicated after reports suggested he had not completed the mandatory fitness assessments required by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for IPL participation.
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LSG had secured Hasaranga’s services for INR 2 crore, but the leg-spinner has been unable to link up with the squad due to his ongoing rehabilitation.
He previously featured for the Rajasthan Royals and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in his IPL career.
South African spinner George Linde is currently understood to be the leading candidate to replace Wanindu Hasaranga.
Despite yet to make his IPL debut, Linde brings extensive T20 experience, having played across multiple franchise leagues, including SA20, The Hundred, Major League Cricket, and the Pakistan Super League.
The left-arm spinner has picked up 218 wickets in 250 T20 matches at an economy rate of 7.42, though his recent international form has been modest, managing just one wicket in four outings against New Zealand.
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