Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) suffered yet another setback as Nuwan Thushara has been disqualified from at least the first round of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 due to his failure to pass a required fitness test administered by Sri Lanka Cricket.
Thushara is unable to participate in the competition right away since the Sri Lanka board has withheld a no-objection certificate (NOC) due to his failure to achieve the necessary standard, according to ESPNcricinfo.
To be eligible for selection in international leagues, players must achieve a minimum score of 17 out of 29 across five fitness metrics, as per SLC guidelines.
Ashley de Silva, the chief executive of SLC, affirmed that the pacer failed to meet the qualifying requirement. But after four or five days, Thushara will have another chance to take the fitness test.
Prior to their season-opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the development heightens RCB’s mounting worries. The franchise is already adjusting to Yash Dayal’s absence.
Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood did however, join the team on Thursday.
It is also unlikely that Thushara would play in RCB’s second match on April 5 against Chennai Super Kings. He might not be able to play competitive cricket for a long time if he fails the fitness test a second time.
Prior to the IPL, other Sri Lankan cricketers are also dealing with fitness-related challenges.
Due to continued injury recovery, Matheesha Pathirana and Wanindu Hasaranga have not yet completed their fitness tests. After being selected by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Pathirana is presently recovering from a calf ailment and won’t be able to join the team until the middle of April.
After missing the most recent T20 World Cup due to a hamstring injury, Hasaranga, who signed with the Lucknow Super Giants, is recuperating.
