IPL auction 2026: Lucknow Super Giants snap up Wanindu Hasaranga for ₹2 crore

Sri Lanka’s star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga once again proved his enduring appeal in the IPL auction market as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured the bowling all-rounder for ₹2 crore (base price) at the IPL 2026 auction.

Entering the IPL 2026 auction, Hasaranga had registered with a base price of ₹2 crore, a reserve figure that belied his stature and past returns in the league. Once bidding opened, interest quickly picked up, with multiple franchises eyeing key players, LSG emerged successful.

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Hasaranga, a right-arm leg-break bowler and a capable lower-order batter, has long been regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s premier T20 performers. Known for his attacking mindset and ability to strike regularly in the middle overs, he combines control with aggression, making him a valuable asset in the shortest format.

The Sri Lankan all-rounder’s IPL journey has seen sharp highs and challenging interruptions. He first featured in the league in 2021 when Royal Challengers Bengaluru picked him as a replacement signing.

His defining IPL season came in 2022, when RCB invested ₹10.75 crore in him and were rewarded with a prolific campaign. Playing all 16 matches, Hasaranga finished with 26 wickets, the most by an RCB bowler that year, as the team advanced to Qualifier 2.

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He continued with RCB in 2023, featuring in eight matches and taking nine wickets, before being released ahead of the 2024 season.

At the 2024 auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad bought Hasaranga at his base price of ₹1.5 crore, but chronic heel pain in his left foot forced him to miss the entire season. He returned to the auction pool in 2025 and was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for ₹5.25 crore, marking his comeback to regular IPL action.

However, Rajasthan Royals released him ahead of the 2026 auction cycle as part of their retention strategy, making him available once again.

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Beyond the IPL, Hasaranga has been a regular feature in T20 leagues around the world, including Major League Cricket in the United States, further enhancing his reputation as a sought-after short-format specialist.

With Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) now securing his services for the 2026 season, Hasaranga gets another opportunity to reaffirm his value on the IPL stage. Fully fit and back in demand, the Sri Lankan leg-spinner will be keen to convert auction-room confidence into decisive performances in the upcoming campaign.