Lucknow Super Giants has suffered a major setback as a star player has left the camp ahead of their remaining two Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 games vs Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). The player in question is the South African star Aiden Markram; although the team is already in the IPL 2026 playoff contentions, his leaving the squad midway can be a major setback for a team that is already struggling. LSG has their penultimate game of the season tonight, but Markram leaving the squad could be a major blow to the UP-based franchise.
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Reason behind Markram abandoning LSG midway
The Rishabh Pant-led franchise was already having a forgettable season, as the team is at the bottom of the points table, having won only four out of 12 games they've played so far in 2026. Markram, who was himself not having an impressive run this season, has left the squad due to personal reasons.
As per the reports from ESPNcricinfo, Aiden Markram and his wife Nicole Daniella O’Connor have flown back to South Africa, as the couple is expecting their first child. The couple announced pregnancy last year in December.
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Aiden Markram's IPL 2026 numbers
The 31-year-old had a mediocre IPL 2026, as he could only score 231 runs in 12 games while averaging 25.67 at a strike rate of 135.5. In bowling he was pretty expensive, as he bowled six overs in the tournament and gave away 83 runs at an economy of 13.83 and could not take even a single wicket.