Lucknow Super Giants have faced a significant setback during the mid-season of the IPL 2026 as South African batter Matthew Breetzke has returned to his home country for personal reasons. This development is particularly concerning for the team, which currently sits at the bottom of the table with just two wins in eight games this season.
This is not the first time that LSG has experienced the departure of an overseas player this season. Earlier, Anrich Nortje also left the squad for undisclosed reasons. However, Breetzke’s sudden exit comes at a crucial time when the team is already struggling with consistency. The Rishabh Pant-led side will now need to find ways to adapt without one of their key players.
Matthew Breetzke’s Return Home
Matthew Breetzke, who had been in contention for a spot in the playing XI due to the inconsistent performances of other overseas players, left the LSG camp on April 26 before the match against the Kolkata Knight Riders. According to sources close to the situation, the 27-year-old batter returned to South Africa due to a personal tragedy.
A close relative from his wife’s family passed away, prompting his unexpected departure. At this moment, there is no information regarding when Breetzke will return to the IPL for the remaining matches. His absence leaves a significant gap in the LSG batting lineup, which has struggled to perform consistently throughout the tournament.
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Josh Inglis Joins Squad as Boost
In a positive turn of events for LSG, the team received an immediate boost with the arrival of Josh Inglis, the wicket-keeper batter. Inglis had previously informed the franchises that his availability would be limited due to his upcoming wedding, scheduled for April 18 in Margaret River, Western Australia.
The wicket-keeper batter, who was earlier released by Punjab Kings, was acquired by LSG for a hefty sum of INR 8.60 crore. He had a commendable performance last season, scoring 278 runs in 11 innings with an average of 30.88 and a strike rate of 162.57.
Inglis has already been seen training with the LSG squad and is expected to make his way into the playing XI soon. With the current overseas batters struggling to find their form, especially Nicholas Pooran, who has averaged just 10.25 this season, and the continued underperformance from Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh, Inglis is poised to make a significant impact.
LSG has a challenging schedule ahead, with three matches spread over seven days. Their first game will be against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. The team will need to regroup quickly and make necessary adjustments to improve their performance in the remaining fixtures.
