Nuwan Thushara is to play for RCB in IPL 2026.
As per NewsWire, Nuwan Thushara filed a petition at the Colombo District Court, seeking an order requiring Sri Lanka Cricket to provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to him to play in the IPL 2026. Thushara was retained by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise.
SLC had denied Thushara the NOC after he failed a fitness test necessary to obtain the same. Thushara had failed SLC's fitness test, scoring 17 out of 29 points across five distinct parameters, as per ESPNCricinfo.
Meanwhile, the case was taken up before the Colombo District Court today and was fixed for hearing on April 9.
In his complaint, Thushara names Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva, Secretary Bandula Dissanayake, Treasurer Sujeewa Godaliyadda, and CEO Ashley de Silva as defendants.
Thushara claims that he was chosen by the Royal Challengers for the 2026 IPL, having previously competed in the event in 2024 and 2025 after acquiring Sri Lanka Cricket NOCs.
However, Sri Lanka Cricket declined to give the NOC for 2026, alleging a failure to satisfy statutory fitness criteria, according to the court filing.
Thushara claims that his contract with Sri Lanka Cricket was set to expire on March 31, 2026, and that he informed the board of his decision not to renew the contract and step away from international cricket.
He further claims that he had already been advised that he would not be selected for national duty, hence the refusal to award a NOC based on fitness reasons was unwarranted.
Thushara also maintains that his present fitness levels are consistent with those maintained throughout his career, and that similar fitness levels did not preclude Sri Lanka Cricket from issuing him NOCs in prior years.
The player has told the court that if the NOC is not issued, he will be replaced by his IPL franchise, costing him significant money and future career chances.
Thushara is seeking a ruling that he is entitled to the NOC, as well as interim and permanent injunctions directing Sri Lanka Cricket to give the certificate, allowing him to compete in the IPL and other international competitions.
(Newswire report)