Lucknow Super Giants have moved to strengthen their squad for IPL 2026, bringing South Africa allrounder George Linde into the lineup after Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out due to injury.
Linde replaces Hasaranga at LSG
- George Linde has been named as the replacement for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga for IPL 2026.
- Linde joins Lucknow Super Giants as a left-arm spin-bowling allrounder at his base price of INR 1 crore.
The South Africa international has featured in international cricket across formats, with three Tests, four ODIs and 37 T20Is to his name.
Although this will be Linde’s first appearance in the IPL, he has been active in other franchise T20 leagues over the past 12 months, including SA20, The Hundred, Major League Cricket and the Pakistan Super League.
In his T20 career of 250 matches, Linde has claimed 218 wickets while maintaining an economy rate of 7.42. With the bat, he has accumulated 2,746 runs at an average of 19.47, striking at 136.68.
Beyond his bowling role, Linde is also expected to add valuable depth to Lucknow’s batting order, particularly from No. 8.
Why Hasaranga missed the season
- Wanindu Hasaranga had been signed by Lucknow Super Giants for INR 2 crore.
- He never joined the squad after suffering a left hamstring tear during Sri Lanka’s opening match at the T20 World Cup in February.
LSG’s IPL momentum
- Lucknow began the season with a defeat against Delhi Capitals.
- They then secured two close wins in their next two matches.
- Those results have lifted LSG to fifth place on the points table.
- Lucknow’s upcoming fixture is against Gujarat Titans on Sunday, to be played in Lucknow.
