Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) is at odds with its players for refusing a NOC (no objection certificate) for IPL 2026. After many players failed the new standard fitness test, SLC denied NOCs. Pacer Nuwan Thushara was one of them. Now, the pacer has taken the SLC to court so that he can get the NOC and join Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad. The hearing is set for April 9 at the Colombo District Court.
Thushara has named SLC President Shammi Silva, Secretary Bandula Dissanayake, Treasurer Sujeewa Godaliyadda and CEO Ashley de Silva as defendants as per a Newswire report.
Nuwan Thushara vs SLC
After another disastrous T20 World Cup where Sri Lanka failed to win any matches in the Super 8 stage, SLC took some drastic measures. One of them was introducing stricter fitness tests. T20I captain Dasun Shanaka blamed players’ poor fitness for the World Cup exit. Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana were ruled out of the T20 WC midway through with injuries. Some players also struggled to maintain their fitness level.
Following that, SLC mandated players to pass the new physical performance test to be eligible for T20 leagues such as the Indian Premier League and the Pakistan Super League. However, some players failed, including Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana. The test includes a time-bound two-km sprint and a skinfold test to check body fat levels. It also requires the centrally contracted players to undergo a specialised training program to get back to the required fitness level.
Thushara to take international retirement
In his plea, Nuwan Thushara told the court that his contract with the SLC ended on March 31, 2026. He had already informed the Sri Lanka cricket board not to consider him as he would retire from international cricket.
Thushara argued that the SLC already informed him that he would not be selected for national duties. Hence, he said it was an injustice not to grant him the NOC for IPL 2026. He also claimed that his fitness levels were at par with what they had been throughout his career. And it did not prevent him from playing for Sri Lanka.
Even though RCB have waited patiently, if Thushara fails to join the squad by mid-April, he fears the IPL champions would replace him and that he would lose significant income. RCB retained Thushara for INR 1.6 crore. Nuwan Thushara is seeking an injunction as he believes he is entitled to the NOC to play in IPL 2026 and other franchise leagues.
Nuwan Thushara is not new to challenging a cricket board’s refusal to give NOC. Last year, Tabraiz Shamsi sued Cricket South Africa for allowing him a partial NOC when he was not part of the central contract. Shamsi opted to play in the rival ILT20 in the UAE and the Big Bash League, opting out of SA20, where he was picked by MI Cape Town. But CSA allowed him an NOC, forcing him to leave the ILT20 midway for SA20. Shamsi won the case against CSA at the Gauteng High Court.
RCB star Nuwan Thushara sues SLC for refusing NOC, IPL 2026 participation in limbo Inside Sport India.
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