Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have signed South African allrounder George Linde as a replacement for injured Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga in IPL 2026.

Hasaranga, bought for INR 2 crore, was ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury during Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup opener in February and never joined the LSG squad. His absence left LSG short of spin options early in the season.

Linde joins the franchise at his base price of INR 1 crore. The 33-year-old left-arm spinner is set for his first IPL stint, but arrives with extensive global T20 experience, having featured in leagues such as SA20, The Hundred, PSL and Major League Cricket over the past year.

Across 250 T20 matches, Linde has taken 218 wickets at an economy of 7.42 and scored 2,746 runs at a strike rate of 136.68, adding depth as a bowling allrounder.

LSG, who began IPL 2026 with a loss to Delhi Capitals, have since bounced back with two narrow wins to climb to fifth place on the points table. The addition of Linde is expected to further strengthen their balance ahead of a key phase in the tournament.

LSG next face Gujarat Titans on Sunday in Lucknow, where Linde could be in line for his debut.

Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has moved to ease tensions with Sri Lanka Cricket by issuing a formal apology and indicating his readiness to withdraw legal proceedings over the denial of a No Objection Certificate (NOC).

In a communication addressed to CEO Ashley de Silva, with copies sent to President Shammi Silva and other officials, Thushara clarified that legal action was never intended to undermine the board or create conflict. Instead, he emphasized that his actions were driven by a desire to address what he believed was unfair treatment.

The pacer acknowledged that the situation may have caused concern within the governing body and expressed regret over any inconvenience or misunderstanding. He reaffirmed his respect for Sri Lanka Cricket and its leadership, stressing his commitment to resolving the matter constructively.

Significantly, Thushara stated he is now willing to abandon court action in favor of a mutually agreeable solution. He expressed optimism that both parties could move forward positively through dialogue.

The dispute arose after Sri Lanka Cricket declined to grant Thushara the required NOC to participate in overseas franchise tournaments, including the Indian Premier League. The board cited the player’s failure to meet newly introduced fitness benchmarks as the reason for its decision.

In response, Thushara had filed a petition before the Colombo District Court seeking legal intervention to secure clearance for participation in international leagues.

During recent proceedings, Sri Lanka Cricket informed the court that it would submit formal objections. The case is scheduled to be heard again on April 23, though Thushara’s latest statement signals a possible out-of-court resolution.

Sri Lanka’s men’s hockey team has scripted a memorable comeback on the continental stage, securing qualification for the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan after a remarkable run at the Asian Games Qualifier in Bangkok.

Ending a two-decade absence, the side produced a series of spirited performances to emerge as the top team in Pool B. Their campaign was highlighted by a hard-fought 3–2 victory over Bangladesh a result that carried added significance as it marked Sri Lanka’s first win against them in 20 years. The team followed it up with a confident 3–1 triumph over Uzbekistan, underlining their growing momentum in the tournament.

Sri Lanka carried that form into the knockout stage, delivering another composed performance in the semi-final. In a closely contested encounter, they edged past Indonesia 3–2 to confirm their place in the final and, more importantly, seal qualification for the Asian Games.

Leading from the front, captain Dammika Ranasinghe has been instrumental with both leadership and goals, while forward Kusal Weerappuli has emerged as a key attacking force throughout the tournament. The win over Bangladesh also saw important contributions from Seran Bothale and Suresh Rathnayake, whose goals proved decisive in a tightly fought contest.

Under the guidance of head coach Riffas Mohammed, Sri Lanka has shown a renewed sense of structure and belief. Their campaign has been defined by disciplined defending, quick transitions, and clinical finishing a combination that has helped them overcome higher-ranked opponents.

This qualification marks a significant milestone for Sri Lankan hockey, signaling a resurgence for the national side and offering renewed hope ahead of their return to the Asian Games stage after 20 years.