Royal Challengers Bengaluru have received a major setback ahead of IPL 2026. Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Thushara may not be able to play in the tournament after Sri Lanka Cricket refused to issue him a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
The decision means Thushara cannot participate in the league for RCB unless the situation changes later.
Why Nuwan Thushara Cannot Play in IPL 2026
Sri Lanka Cricket recently introduced a rule regarding players who want to participate in the Indian Premier League.
According to this rule, players must pass the official fitness tests set by the board before they can receive an NOC to play in overseas leagues such as the IPL.
Nuwan Thushara was one of the players whose participation became uncertain under this new rule.
On March 26, Sri Lanka Cricket officially decided not to give him the NOC because he did not reach the required fitness points.
Key Details of the Decision
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Nuwan Thushara |
| Team | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Auction price | ₹1.6 crore |
| Decision date | March 26 |
| Reason | Did not meet Sri Lanka Cricket fitness standards |
| Status | Not allowed to participate in IPL 2026 |
Although reports suggested that Thushara is not currently injured and can bowl, the board’s decision was based on fitness benchmarks rather than injury concerns.
Sri Lanka Cricket’s New Fitness Rule
The new policy from Sri Lanka Cricket focuses on ensuring that players maintain high fitness levels before joining overseas tournaments.
Under the updated system, players must reach a specific fitness score during testing. Only those who pass the test will receive permission to join their IPL franchises.
This means that even if a player is capable of playing or bowling, failing the fitness evaluation can still prevent them from receiving the NOC.
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Impact on Royal Challengers Bengaluru
RCB signed Nuwan Thushara for around ₹1.6 crore with the expectation that he would strengthen their pace attack.
His absence could affect the team’s bowling plans for IPL 2026.
| RCB Plan | Impact |
|---|---|
| Overseas pace option | Thushara unavailable |
| Bowling combination | Team may need adjustment |
| Possible action | Use other bowlers or sign replacement |
The team management may now need to rely more on other bowlers in the squad or look for alternative options to fill the role.
At the moment, Thushara is not part of RCB’s plans for IPL 2026 because of the NOC issue.
However, the situation could change if he meets the fitness requirements and receives approval from Sri Lanka Cricket in the future.
Until then, RCB will move forward with their current squad and adjust their bowling combination for the season.
CricketMAN2 will continue to track updates about Nuwan Thushara’s fitness status, the NOC situation, and any changes in RCB’s squad plans during IPL 2026.
