Lucknow Super Giants will be without the services of their South African batter Aiden Markram for their last two matches of IPL 2026.
The development comes mere hours before LSG’s match against the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Tuesday.
LSG are already out of contention for a spot in the top four, while RR are one of the five teams competing for the one open slot.
Aiden Markram returned home due to personal reasons
According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, Markram returned home to South Africa due to personal reasons. While it isn’t immediately clear what those reasons are, it is confirmed that Markram will not be returning for the rest of the tournament.
Apart from RR, LSG will play the Punjab Kings in Lucknow on May 23.
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Markram’s absence will come as a big blow to LSG, who looked like getting their season on track in recent times. After a six-match losing streak, LSG recovered to win two of their last three matches.
Aiden Markram in IPL 2026
Markram hasn’t been able to reproduce his usual consistency in IPL 2026. Just like his runs, his batting order has not stayed consistent either.
In 12 matches, he has made just 231 runs at an average of 25.67 and a strike rate of 138. His highest score has been just 45.
He has also occasionally bowled some overs in the tournament, but has not taken any IPL wickets this year. His 6 overs in IPL 2026 have gone at an economy rate of almost 14 runs per over.
Against the Punjab Kings, Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly had torn him apart with a 32-run over.
LSG vs RR previous match
Apart from ruining RR’s playoffs chances, the fixture on Tuesday provides LSG with a chance to settle some scores after their loss to the inaugural champions in Lucknow on April 22.
LSG’s famed pace attack of Mohammed Shami, Mohsin Khan, and Prince Yadav unleashed a barrage that RR never recovered from. It was ultimately up to Ravindra Jadeja to save the collapse with an unbeaten 43, including 20 runs in the last over off Mayank Yadav.
RR had only 160 runs to defend, but it proved enough. Jofra Archer took 3 wickets while Nandre Burger and Brijesh Sharma took 2 each to make sure that Mitchell Marsh’s 50 couldn’t win the game for LSG.
Aiden Markram made a six-ball duck before getting out to Archer.
LSG and RR upcoming fixtures and playoffs qualification scenario
As mentioned, LSG will not be able to qualify for the playoffs anymore. But both their matches are against teams still in the running. Both RR and PBKS need to win all their games to be on the safe side.
Apart from LSG in Lucknow, the Rajasthan Royals will also face the Mumbai Indians in Mumbai. The equation is rather simple for them. If they win both matches, they will be through to the last four.
Losing both matches will eliminate them, whereas winning only one would mean that they need to rely on other results to go through.
Potential replacements for Aiden Markram
Now that Aiden Markram has left for South Africa, LSG will need to find a replacement for him.
LSG have two prominent options to replace Aiden Markram. They could either re-induct Ayush Badoni into their XI, or hand an IPL debut to Markram’s compatriot Matthew Breetzke.
