Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has withdrawn his legal petition filed in the Colombo District Court against Sri Lanka Cricket. The 31-year-old cricketer had earlier sought an interim injunction directing Sri Lanka Cricket to issue a No Objection Certificate for him to participate in the ongoing IPL 2026 season.
Royal Challengers Bangalore signed him Nuwan Thushara For Rs 1.60 crore in the 2025 mega auction. Josh Hazlewood was unavailable during the early part of the season. New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy replaced Hazlewood in the playing eleven and put in an impressive performance for the defending champions.
Nuwan Thushara ends legal battle over IPL NOC
Presidential counsel GG Arulpragasam represented Nuwan Thushara during the hearing at the Colombo District Court on Wednesday, the newswire reported. He told the judge that several IPL matches had already been completed, forcing the fast bowler to withdraw his legal request.
Arulpragasam informed that it is no longer necessary to continue with the matter as Thushara no longer wishes to pursue the application for No Objection Certificate. The court allowed Thushara to withdraw the case. After this, the Colombo District Court rejected the petition related to NOC.
According to the newswire report, “When the matter was taken up on Wednesday, the petitioner’s counsel told the court that several IPL matches had already been concluded and the petitioner no longer wished to proceed with the application. After arguments, the court allowed the case to be withdrawn and later dismissed the petition.”
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Nuwan Thushara was refused NOC due to strict fitness rules imposed by Sri Lanka Cricket
Sri Lanka Cricket refused to grant No Objection Certificate to Nuwan Thushara saying that he did not meet the required fitness standards. Thushara, in his legal petition, argued that his fitness levels had remained consistent throughout his career and he had not faced such restrictions in previous tournaments.
After this the board maintained a strict stance on the fitness of the players. 2026 t20 world cup. Officials focused on monitoring workloads and protecting particularly fast bowlers from further injuries. Many players withdrew from participating in foreign leagues, including the IPL, despite prior contracts.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)’s Mathisha Pathirana and spinner Wanindu Hasaranga could not travel for the IPL. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad players Ishan Malinga and Kamindu Mendis were cleared and joined the franchise for the season.
Nuwan Thushara names SLC officials, misses out on IPL contract amid NOC controversy
Before withdrawing his case, Thushara named Sri Lanka Cricket president Shammi Silva, secretary Bandula Dissanayake, treasurer Sujeewa Godaliyadda and CEO Ashley de Silva as defendants. He wanted the Colombo District Court to confirm his right to obtain NOC for the IPL.
The deal was done without NOC Royal Challengers Bangalore Couldn’t go through. His central contract with Sri Lanka Cricket also expired on 31 March and he reportedly decided not to renew it and informed the board about his plans to step away from international cricket.
Thushara had earlier taken eight wickets in seven matches while playing for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024. Missing the current season with Royal Challengers Bangalore means he will lose his ₹1.60 crore contract following the controversy.
