George Linde to replace Wanindu Hasaranga at LSG

South African left-arm spinner George Linde is set to join the Lucknow Super Giants as replacement for Wanindu Hasaranga, who has been ruled out of IPL 2026 after not recovering sufficiently from the hamstring injury he sustained at the T20 World Cup.

Cricbuzz had reported about the imminence of LSG moving on from the Sri Lankan, a fact that was formalised by Tom Moody, the franchise's Director of Cricket, on Thursday (April 9)

"Wanindu Hasaranga won't be able to join us and we are preparing to get a replacement. We will be announcing it in the next 24 to 48 hours," the Australian said during LSG's match against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens.

The franchise is believed to have taken the decision on Friday (April 10), They had shortlisted a couple of other overseas spinners, Mujeeb ur Rahman of Afghanistan and Liam Dawson of England. But in the end, they chose the 34-year-old South African, who has played 37 T20Is for South Africa, scoring 403 runs at 147.61 and taking 35 wickets 7.58 ER.

This will be Linde's maiden stint in the IPL. He will join LSG at his reserve price of INR 1 crore.