IPL 2026: Sanjiv Goenka's Lucknow Super Giants sign former Pakistan Super League star as Wanindu Hasaranga's replacement

A day after Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Director of Cricket Tom Moody confirmed they are going ahead with a replacement for Wanindu Hasaranga, the Sanjiv Goenka-owned side announced South African George Linde as a replacement player amid the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).

Hasaranga, who was roped in by LSG for ₹2 crore during the mini-auction last December, tore his hamstring during Sri Lanka's opening game in the T20 World Cup 2026. It was hoped that the 28-year-old would recover in time and play a part in LSG's IPL 2026 campaign.

However, Hasaranga has failed to recover in time, prompting the LSG management to look beyond the Sri Lankan left-arm spinner. "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," Moody had said on the sidelines of LSG's win over Kolkata Knight Riders.

According to a Cricbuzz report, Linde was among the three spinners shortlisted to replace Hasaranga. Afghanistan's Mujeeb ur Rahman and Liam Dawson of England were the other two. In the end, the LSG think-tank decided to go with Linde, who has also played in Pakistan Super League (PSL). “The Protea all-rounder replaces Wanindu Hasaranga in our squad for #TATAIPL 2026,” LSG said in a social media post.