IPL 2026: Wanindu Hasaranga won’t join Lucknow Super Giants; confirms Tom Moody

With Wanindu Hasaranga’s arrival in the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) still unknown, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are pondering signing his replacement. LSG bought Hasaranga for his base price of Rs 2 crore at the mini-auction ahead of the season. However, he’s still recovering from a left hamstring tear he suffered during the T20 World Cup 2026 and has yet to join the squad.

In order to gain a No Objection certificate (NOC) to participate in the tournament, Hasaranga must clear a mandatory fitness test by Sri Lanka Cricket. The wrist spinner is yet to appear for his test, forcing LSG to look for his replacements. LSG’s Global Director of Cricket, Tom Moody, has confirmed that Hasaranga won’t be able to join them, and the team is looking for wrist spinners’ replacements.

"We are preparing for the fact that he (Wanindu Hasaranga) isn't going to be able to join us. We are looking at replacements, that should be announced in 24-48 hours," Moody said in his mid-match interview with the broadcaster during the fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Hasaranga last played in Sri Lanka's opening game of the T20 World Cup 2026 against Ireland on February 8 and has been out of action since. He picked up 3/25 in his four overs during the game.

George Linde likely to be Hasaranga's replacement

Earlier, Hasaranga also missed IPL 2024 due to chronic heel pain in his left foot. He has 46 wickets to his name in the tournament from 37 innings at an average of 24.32 with one five-wicket haul. Meanwhile, LSG are still looking for his ideal replacement and will reveal their new signing in the coming days.

According to ESPNCricinfo, South Africa’s left-arm spinner George Linde is likely to be named Hasaranga’s replacement. Linde has never played in the IPL before and last featured in the recent bilateral series against New Zealand, where he scalped just one wicket in four innings.