Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) Director of Cricket Tom Moody has confirmed that Wanindu Hasaranga will remain unavailable for them for IPL 2026. The former Australian cricketer, who has also served as SunRisers Hyderabad’s head coach, revealed that the Super Giants will announce the Sri Lankan wrist-spinner’s replacement in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Has Wanindu Hasaranga been denied NOC for IPL 2026?
With Sri Lank Cricket (SLC) denying NOC to pacer Nuwan Thushara for IPL participation, it has called into question whether the wrist-spinner has also been denied the same by the board. However, according to Cricbuzz, Hasaranga is yet to undergo the fitness test that the board intends to conduct to decide for the IPL participation. Cricbuzz had further reported that the sources in Sri Lanka said Hasaranga batted for a session at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo last week but did not bowl. He last played in the T20 World Cup 2026 match against Ireland on February 8 and has been sidelined due to a tear in his left hamstring.
Due to no clarity yet, the Super Giants have now decided to announce a replacement for him. The leggie has claimed 46 wickets in 37 IPL games at 33.73, having played for the Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) previously. The Sri Lankan was also a part of the SunRisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024 but didn't play a game.
Lucknow Super Giants on the brink of their second defeat in IPL 2026
Meanwhile, the Super Giants are on the brink of suffering their second defeat of IPL 2026. Rishabh Pant and co. managed to pull one back against the SunRisers Hyderabad after starting their campaign with a loss to the Delhi Capitals. Having restricted the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to a fairly gettable 181, LSG got off to a decent start but lost a bit too many wickets in the middle overs.
At the time of writing this, the Super Giants were 139/7 after 17 overs, with Mukul Choudhary trying his best to steer the way in the Super Giants’ way.