Last Updated on April 10, 2026 by Yash Saini
Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League 2026, the Lucknow Super Giants have confirmed it on Thursday. The director of cricket for Lucknow Super Giants, Tom Moody, announced it on Thursday during the clash between KKR and LSG at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. As per the Hindustan Times, the franchise is preparing for a replacement, and the official announcement will come within 1 to 2 days.
Lucknow Super Giants have bought Wanindu Hasaranga for INR 2 crore in the mini auction, but he couldn’t join the team because of his hamstring injury. He didn’t play a single game after the T20 World Cup 2026 opening match in February. Also, SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket) has announced a mandatory fitness test earlier, but he did not take that test either. It was a notice from SLC and they made it compulsory for centrally contracted players to pass the test to get the NOC to join the IPL.
As per Hindustan Times, Tom Moody said, “We are preparing for the fact that he isn’t going to be able to join us.” Moody said during LSG’s game against Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday.
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Lucknow Super Giants Current Scenario in IPL 2026
In IPL 2026, Lucknow Super Giants have won two games out of three. The team lost their opening match against Delhi but later won two matches in a row. In yesterday’s match against KKR, where everyone was thinking that KKR would easily win, but Mukul Choudhary had different plans. He scored an unbeaten 54 runs in just 27 balls to help LSG snatch victory from the KKR.
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Impact of Wanindu Hasaranga’s Absence on LSG
LSG are unlikely to miss Hasaranga much because they have a settled spin attack. LSG spin attack includes M Siddharth, Digvesh Rathi and Shahbaz Ahmed. On the other hand, the pace attack is led by Mohammed Shami. Also, Prince Yadav is the emerging star for LSG in the three matches so far.
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Likely Replacement for Wanindu Hasaranga?
As per ESPN Cricinfo, South Africa’s George Linde can be the replacement for Hasaranga. George Linde has not featured in the IPL before. He plays for the SA20 and the Hundred. George Linde has played 37 matches for South Africa in T20 Internationals and scored 403 runs and taken 35 wickets. He has an economy rate of around 7.50 and a strike rate of around 147.61.
IPL 2026 Points Table
| TEAMS | P | W | L | NR | NRR | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RR | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +2.403 | 6 |
| PBKS | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +0.637 | 5 |
| RCB | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +2.501 | 4 |
| DC | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +0.811 | 4 |
| LSG | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | -0.359 | 4 |
| SRH | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +0.275 | 2 |
| GT | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | -0.270 | 2 |
| MI | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | -0.715 | 2 |
| KKR | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | -1.315 | 1 |
| CSK | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -2.517 | 0 |
