THIS Cricketer Went To Court Just To Play In IPL 2026; He Won The Title With RCB Last Year

New Delhi: Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Thushara sought court intervention on Thursday (April 2), to play in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), after the country's cricket board refused to grant him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) due to his failure to pass a fitness test. The 31-year-old player was acquired by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for ₹1.6 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction. Subsequently, he was retained by the franchise for the 2026 season for the same amount.

What action did Sri Lanka Cricket Board take?

The Sri Lanka Cricket Board has withheld his NOC, citing fitness concerns. Consequently, Nuwan Thushara has filed a petition in the Colombo District Court, seeking a directive ordering Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to issue the NOC. The matter is scheduled to be heard on April 9. According to local media reports, the bowler—who has played 30 T20 Internationals for his country since 2022—has argued that his contract with the SLC expired on March 31, and he does not wish to extend it further.

What did Nuwan Thushara say?

Thushara stated that he had already informed the SLC of his desire to retire from international cricket. He contended that, given these circumstances, the court should set aside the decision to deny him an NOC on the grounds of failing a fitness test. The SLC has made fitness tests mandatory for selection to the national team. Thushara further asserted that his fitness levels have never been found to be substandard, noting that the SLC had previously permitted him to play while maintaining a similar level of fitness.

Has RCB Announced a Replacement?

RCB acquired Thushara in 2025 for a sum of ₹1.6 crore. He played one match for the team during the previous season. To date, the fast bowler has taken a total of 174 wickets across 137 T20 matches, maintaining an average of 21.25. The central question remains: is Nuwan Thushara genuinely unfit, or is the Sri Lanka Cricket Board treating him unfairly? Nevertheless, the standoff between the board and the player continues. RCB has not yet announced his replacement. Naveen-ul-Haq is among the contenders to replace him.