Big Blow To LSG! Rs 2 Crore Star Ruled Out Of IPL 2026 Without Playing Single Game

Lucknow Super Giants have been dealt a major injury blow midway through their IPL 2026 campaign. Just when their season was on the rise, LSG have been told they won’t have the services of their Sri Lankan star Wanindu Hasaranga, who hasn’t recovered from a hamstring injury he suffered during the recent 2026 T20 World Cup.

“Wanindu Hasaranga won’t be able to join us and we are preparing to get a replacement in the next 24 to 48 hours,” LSG global director Tom Moody said on JioHotstar on Thursday night.

Released by Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL mini auction last year, Hasaranga then landed a Rs 2 crore deal with LSG. However, he will not be part of their campaign as a hamstring issue means he hasn’t played any competitive cricket for nearly

two months now and not been able to bowl either.

Sri Lanka Cricket has made it mandatory for its IPL-bound stars to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the board after clearing a tough fitness test. It’s been reported that Hasaranga didn’t request for NOC.

Who Can Replace Hasaranga At LSG?

According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, South African George Linde could be signed as a replacement for Hasaranga. The 34-year-old all-rounder, who bowls left-arm spin, has played 250 T20s and taken 218 wickets at an economy of 7.42 besides scoring 2746 runs at a strike-rate of 136.68. He was part of South Africa’s five-match T20I bilateral series with New Zealand in March, where he took one wicket and scored 70 runs across four matches.

Linde also played at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India.

Yesterday’s Match Result

After starting IPL 2026 with a defeat to Delhi Capitals, LSG are on the rise, having recorded back-to-back wins. They defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by five wickets for their first win before edging past Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday night in what was a last-ball thriller.

With four points from three games, LSG are currently fifth on the IPL points table and face Gujarat Titans next.