Kolkata Knight Riders may receive a major boost with Matheesha Pathirana expected to join the squad by mid-April if he clears the fitness test.
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, Wanindu Hasaranga and Pathirana are among 15 centrally contracted players to have not taken the mandatory fitness test. Out of the 45 centrally contracted Sri Lanka players, only 24 have passed the test. The report says that the players are unable to take the test because of injuries or logistical issues.
The focus would be on Hasaranga and Pathirana’s tests because they are expected to join their respective franchises Lucknow Super Giants and KKR, respectively in the ongoing IPL.
Hasaranga, who is still recovering from a left hamstring injury, has not applied for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) so far. Meanwhile, Pathirana, who picked up a calf strain during the T20 World Cup 2026, has resumed bowling in the nets. While there is no confirmed date yet for his fitness test set by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), it is expected to happen sometime next week.
Before IPL 2026, SLC made it clear that players wanting to take part in the tournament must first clear a mandatory fitness test. Only after passing this Physical Performance Test will they be granted the required NOC to play.
“Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wishes to announce that players who have requested to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 will be issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) only upon successfully passing SLC’s mandatory Physical Performance Test,” a statement from Sri Lanka Cricket read.
“At present, SLC is conducting an eight-week specialised physical training program for all nationally contracted players. This initiative aims to enhance players’ physical performance standards in preparation for upcoming international assignments. Along with this program, players are also undergoing the mandatory physical performance tests, a routine process followed to check the fitness standards of the players,” the SCL said further.
Players who meet the required fitness standards will be cleared to participate in domestic tournaments and issued a NOC for the IPL, SLC had announced.
“Only those who successfully meet the required standards of the physical performance tests will be cleared to participate in the ongoing domestic tournament and also granted an NOC to take part in IPL 2026,” the SLC statement said further.
