The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have announced that star Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga will miss the IPL 2026 season due to a left hamstring injury sustained during the T20 World Cup in February. He failed to pass the mandatory fitness tests required for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to join the IPL. LSG acquired Hasaranga for ₹2 crore in the IPL 2026 mini-auction but will now seek a replacement, with South African left-arm spinner George Linde being the leading candidate. Linde has yet to play in the IPL but has been active in various T20 leagues globally, boasting 218 wickets in 250 T20 matches. Despite the setback, LSG achieved a thrilling victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), chasing down 182 runs in a nail-biting finish. Key contributions came from Ayush Badoni and debutant Mukul Choudhary, both scoring half-centuries, with Choudhary sealing the win with an explosive performance.