Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is yet to report to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for IPL 2026 and has not indicated when he might join the team, nor is there any clarity on his fitness clearance from Sri Lanka Cricket, Cricbuzz reported on Monday.Bought at a base price of Rs 2 million from LSG, the 28-year-old leg-spinner failed the mandatory fitness test required by Sri Lanka Cricket before issuing No Objection Certificates (NOC) to players for the IPL. Without clarity on that process, his participation in the league remains uncertain.
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James Franklin post-match PC: SRH surprised by pitch, celebrates saver Nitish-Klaasen Hasaranga is recovering from a hamstring injury.According to a Cricbuzz report, Hasaranga recently had a batting session at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo but did not bowl. He was sidelined for almost two months with a torn left hamstring. His last appearance came in Sri Lanka’s opening T20 World Cup match against Ireland on 8 February.“We don’t have any concrete updates on Waninda Hasaranga,” Cricbuzz quoted a source as saying. The team is now considering the possibility of looking at the options of replacing the Sri Lankan spinner.Among the players available in the replacement pool are Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, Liam Dawson and Rehan Ahmed.Hasaranga’s absence also comes amid concerns among IPL franchises about foreign players not joining after being picked at base price. Following a complaint by Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2024, the IPL introduced a penalty provision against overseas players who withdrew after the auction.LSG registered their first win of IPL 2026 on Sunday after skipper Rishabh Pant guided the team home against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). LSG beat SRH by five wickets to claim their first win of the season.
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Meanwhile, there are signs of progress for Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who is part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He started bowling into the nets at the Premadasa Stadium, albeit not at full strength, and the franchise remains hopeful of his availability later in the season.
