The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have signed South African all-rounder George Linde as a replacement for Wanindu Hasaranga, who has been ruled out of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) due to a hamstring injury sustained during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Hasaranga, initially acquired for ₹2 crore (approximately $240,000 USD), will not participate in the tournament. Linde, a left-handed batting all-rounder with a record of 403 runs and 35 wickets in 37 T20 internationals, brings significant T20 experience, having played 250 matches and taken 218 wickets at an economy rate of 7.42. He joins LSG at his base price of ₹1 crore (approximately $120,000 USD) and will make his IPL debut. LSG's Director of Cricket, Tom Moody, indicated that they were preparing for Hasaranga's absence and looking for replacements. The team recently secured a victory against Kolkata Knight Riders by three wickets and will face the Gujarat Titans at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday.