Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are set to replace their injured Sri Lanka legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga, their director of cricket Tom Moody said on Thursday. Moody said a replacement would be named "in the next 24 to 48 hours".
ESPNcricinfo has learnt that South Africa left-arm spinner George Linde, who hasn't played in the IPL yet, is likely to be named as the replacement.
"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 (KKR) in Kolkata on Thursday. "We are looking at replacements, that should be announced in 24-48 hours."
Hasaranga has been out of action since tearing his left hamstring during Sri Lanka's opening game at the T20 World Cup in February. ESPNcricinfo had reported earlier this week that Hasaranga had not taken the mandatory fitness tests under SLC's observation, which was a mandate to get an NOC to join the IPL.
LSG had bought Hasaranga for INR 2 crore (US$222,000 approx.) at the last auction but he was not able to join their squad after picking up the injury. He was with Rajasthan Royals (RR) last season and with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from 2021 to 2023.
Despite Hasaranga's absence, LSG have put up impressive bowling performances in IPL 2026 so far. Their spin attack includes Digvesh Rathi and M Siddharth, along with Shahbaz Ahmed.
Fast bowler Mohsin Khan has also been out of action since playing LSG's opening game and had some "stiffness", Moody said.
Linde's last T20 was in the bilateral series against New Zealand, where he picked up only one wicket in four innings. He featured in the T20 World Cup and has also been part of franchise leagues such as SA20, the Hundred, Major League Cricket, and the PSL in the last 12 months. He has taken 218 wickets in 250 T20s with an economy rate of 7.42.
