A dispute between Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has taken a serious turn as the player fights for permission to play in IPL 2026. The cricket board has refused to issue him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) under a new fitness policy. In response, Thushara has taken the matter to court.
The case was expected to be heard this week, but the court has postponed the hearing, adding more uncertainty to the situation.
New Fitness Policy Becomes the Main Issue
Sri Lanka Cricket recently introduced a strict fitness rule for its players. According to this policy, any player who wants to participate in overseas leagues must meet the fitness standards set by the board.
Nuwan Thushara has not been declared injured, but he reportedly failed to meet the new fitness benchmarks. Because of this, SLC refused to issue the NOC required for him to play in IPL 2026.
This decision has created problems for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who were planning to include Thushara in their squad again this season. Without the NOC from the national board, the fast bowler cannot take part in the tournament.
Thushara Takes Legal Action
After the NOC was blocked, Thushara decided to challenge the decision in court. He filed a petition against several officials from Sri Lanka Cricket.
The petition names the following officials:
| SLC Officials Named in Petition | Position |
|---|---|
| President | Sri Lanka Cricket |
| Secretary | Sri Lanka Cricket |
| Treasurer | Sri Lanka Cricket |
| CEO | Sri Lanka Cricket |
In his court filing, Thushara said that his contract with Sri Lanka Cricket ended on March 31, 2026. He also informed the board that he planned to step away from international cricket and would not be available for national team selection.
Thushara argues that the fitness rule should not apply to him because he is no longer part of the national contract system. He also pointed out that Sri Lanka Cricket had issued NOCs to him for previous IPL seasons without any problems.
Court Hearing Postponed
The Colombo District Court initially scheduled the hearing for April 9, 2026. However, after listening to both sides briefly, the court decided to postpone the hearing.
The next hearing is now scheduled for April 23, 2026.
The court has asked Sri Lanka Cricket to submit its official objections before the new hearing date.
Meanwhile, SLC has stated that it will strongly oppose the petition. The board believes that the new fitness system must apply to all players and that exceptions should not be allowed.
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Who is Nuwan Thushara?
Nuwan Thushara is a Sri Lankan fast bowler known for his sling-arm bowling action. His style is often compared to legendary pacer Lasith Malinga because of the similar release point and yorker ability.
He has built a reputation in T20 cricket with his unique bowling angles and ability to deliver accurate yorkers in the death overs.
Nuwan Thushara Career Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| T20I Debut | February 2022 at Sydney Cricket Ground |
| T20I Matches | 30 |
| T20I Wickets | 36 |
| Last International Match | January 2026 vs Pakistan in Dambulla |
| IPL Debut | 2024 with Mumbai Indians |
| IPL Matches | 8 |
| IPL Wickets | 9 |
| Best IPL Bowling | 3/28 |
| RCB Contract | Bought for ₹1.60 crore for IPL 2025, retained for IPL 2026 |
| Age | 31 years |
The outcome of this legal battle could affect more than just Thushara’s participation in IPL 2026. If the court rules in favor of the player, it could set an example for other Sri Lankan players who want to play in overseas leagues.
For now, the situation remains uncertain. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and IPL fans will have to wait until the next court hearing to know whether Thushara will be allowed to join the tournament.
