Wanindu Hasaranga out of IPL 2026; LSG to announce replacement soon

Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga is set to miss the entirety of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) expected to announce a replacement in the next day or two.

Hasaranga has not played professional cricket since Sri Lanka’s opening game at the 2026 T20 World Cup against Ireland, where he took a three-wicket haul. The 28-year-old has since not taken a mandatory fitness test under Sri Lanka Cricket’s observation, without which he would not receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from his cricketing board to compete in the tournament. 

LSG’s Global Director of Cricket, Tom Moody, confirmed that Hasaranga will now miss the 2026 IPL season, with the side set to announce a replacement in due course. 

"We are preparing for the fact that he isn't going to be able to join us. We are looking at replacements, that should be announced in 24-48 hours,” Tom Moody said during the KKR vs LSG game. 

Hasaranga was picked up by LSG in the mini auction for his base price of INR 2 crore. The Lucknow-based franchise will now need to find an adequate replacement for the all-rounder.

George Linde expected to be named Hasaranga’s replacement

According to ESPNcricinfo, South Africa’s George Linde could be Hasaranga's replacement at LSG. The 34-year-old has not featured in the IPL before, but is an experienced cricketer at a franchise level, regularly playing in the SA20 and The Hundred. 

Linde has represented South Africa 37 times in T20Is, having contributed 403 runs and 35 wickets along the way. A handy lower-order all-rounder, Linde strikes at 147.61 whilst bowling at an economy rate of just above 7.50.

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It is worth mentioning that Linde is a part of the IPL’s Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP) after going unsold in the mini auction at a base price of INR 1 crore. Being part of the pool allows players to be picked up by the franchises as emergency replacements for injured or unavailable players in the middle of the season.