The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have officially bolstered their spin-bowling department, securing South African all-rounder George Linde for the remainder of the IPL 2026. Linde will join the squad as a replacement for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga, who has been ruled out of the tournament. This will be his maiden IPL contract.
Hasaranga suffered a hamstring injury during the T20 World Cup 2026
The loss of Wanindu Hasaranga was a significant setback for LSG. The Sri Lankan leg-spinning all-rounder, who was acquired for INR 2 crore at the auction, sustained a severe hamstring injury during Sri Lanka’s opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
After further medical assessment, it was determined that the injury would prevent him from participating in the IPL season, leaving LSG in search of a versatile replacement to maintain their squad balance.
Lucknow mein swagat hai, George Linde ❤️💙
The Protea all-rounder replaces Wanindu Hasaranga in our squad for #TATAIPL 2026 pic.twitter.com/CZaSypy7ZR
Who is Geroge Linde?
George Linde, who has represented South Africa in 3 Tests, 4 ODIs, and 37 T20Is, will give LSG the three-dimensional option, just like Hasaranga. The 34-year-old Protea will join the team at his reserve price of INR 1 crore.
The left-arm spinner has already played 250 T20 matches globally. In international T20s, he has taken for 35 wickets and scored 403 runs at a healthy strike rate of 147.61.
George Linde joins Lucknow Supergiants as replacement of Hasranga
— Riseup Pant (@riseup_pant17) April 10, 2026
LSG badly needed a spin all rounder pic.twitter.com/Vus6JuiZw1
Linde has played 40 matches for MI Cape Town franchise and has scored 432 runs at a strike rate of 140.25. Along with that, he has also taken 32 wickets with an economy rate of 7.40 runs per over.