The drama between Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Nuwan Thushara over the fast bowler’s participation in the ongoing IPL 2026 in India has taken an ugly turn. Nuwan Thushara was set to join Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) this season but has now been completely ruled out as Sri Lanka Cricket has refused to clear his NOC under a strict new fitness rule.
This is a big blow for Royal Challengers Bangalore. The situation has forced Thushara to drag SLC to court after he was barred from playing in the ongoing IPL 2026.
SLC denies NOC to Nuwan Thushara for IPL 2026 based on new fitness policy
The Sri Lankan board has recently introduced a new fitness policy. According to this rule, a player can participate in foreign leagues only if he meets the fitness standards set by the SLC. Thushara is not injured, but he failed to meet the new standards, paving the way for the board to withhold his NOC.
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Due to this, Thushara’s dream of wearing the RCB jersey again in the current IPL 2026 has almost been shattered. This will also affect their future participation in other foreign tournaments. Left with no option, the fast bowler moved the court and requested immediate permission to play in franchise leagues, including IPL 2026.
Thushara moves court, accuses SLC of harming his career
In his petition, Thushara has held the SLC President, Secretary, Treasurer and CEO directly responsible for his defeat. He has informed the court that his contract with Sri Lanka Cricket expires on March 31, 2026 and he has already decided to step away from international cricket.
He also told the court that he had already informed the SLC about his unavailability for national selection, hence there is no point in withholding his NOC on the grounds of fitness. Thushara insisted that his fitness is the same as before and SLC had no problem in issuing him NOC in the last IPL stint, so why now?
Court adjourns case till April 23 as SLC prepares strong objection
Well, the Colombo District Court was to hear the case on April 9. However, after hearing both the sides, the court extended the hearing and ordered Sri Lanka Cricket to present its objections by April 23, 2026.
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However, SLC has made it clear to the court that they will strongly oppose Thushara’s request. They are preparing to lodge an objection saying that no player should be allowed to bypass the new system.
The Colombo District Court today directed Sri Lanka Cricket to submit its objections on that date.
Through this petition, Nuwan Thushara is requesting that Sri Lanka Cricket provide him with the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the Indian Premier League. https://t.co/boLQFfJhSD
– Danushka Aravinda (@DanuskaAravinda) 9 April 2026
🚨Sri Lanka Cricket counterattacked strongly.
The board has informed the Colombo District Court that it will take strong objection to Nuwan Thushara’s petition seeking a court order to compel SLC to issue NOC for the 2026 IPL and other overseas T20 leagues.
The path is not easy for the fast bowler. pic.twitter.com/xmLh9du7co
– Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) 9 April 2026
Who is Nuwan Thushara?
Nuwan Thushara is one of the most talked about names because of his rare sling-arm action, often compared to Lasith Malinga. The right-arm medium pacer made his T20I debut at the SCG in February 2022 and has played 30 matches for Sri Lanka so far, taking 36 wickets.
The 31-year-old bowler last played for Sri Lanka in January 2026 against Pakistan in Dambulla. Thushara, on the other hand, made his IPL debut with Mumbai Indians in 2024, where he played 8 matches and took 9 wickets, including a best performance of 3/28.
His unique style, angle and fast yorkers caught the attention of RCB, who bought him for IPL 2025 for ₹1.60 crore and then retained him for the current season.
