Nuwan Thushara takes legal action against SLC to secure RCB move for IPL 2026
Sri Lanka speedster Nuwan Thushara has reportedly sought help from the Colombo District Court regarding the denial of an NOC from the SLC for participation in the ongoing IPL season for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The Lankan board clarified before the start of the IPL that they would issue NOCs to some of their players only after conducting some fitness tests, which they feel are necessary for some players who have been affected by injuries.
Nuwan Thushara was once such a player who missed out on the entire T20 World Cup due to an injury just before the start of the international tournament. However, with more than a month between the start of the T20 World Cup and the IPL, the cricketer has rehabilitated and is back on the field.
Nuwan Thushara seeks Judicial intervention after the SLC rejected the NOC for IPL participation
Lankan speedster Nuwan Thushara's unavailability turned out to be a concern for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru; however, they managed to cater to their needs with the New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy.
However, Thushara doesn't want to miss out on the golden opportunity to play in one of the most prestigious leagues in world cricket. In Josh Hazlewood's absence, he could have also made it to the playing XI.
However, SLC ruined his hopes as they did not give him an NOC for the competition. Thushara has now moved to file a case in the Colombo District Court seeking an order to direct the SLC to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to enable his participation in IPL 2026. The court has also accepted the case.
Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has filed a case in the Colombo District Court seeking an order directing Sri Lanka Cricket to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to enable his participation in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL).
— Cricwire (@CricWireLK) April 2, 2026
The case was taken up before the Colo… pic.twitter.com/vI0mfcYJ6R
Jacob Duffy filled the void of Josh Hazlewood for RCB
Jacob Duffy, the lanky New Zealand pacer, played in the competition as a replacement for the Australian great Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood had a dream season for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, helping them to secure a title in 2025.
Despite not having a stunning World Cup run, Duffy, who played his maiden game in the IPL for RCB against SRH in the season opener in 2026, picked three wickets with the new ball. He brought his height to good use and surprised the batters by hitting the deck hard.
The pacers' genuine movement of the new ball also didn't let them miss the services of the Australian pacer, who has been the standout performer for them in the IPL.
SLC are yet to hand NOC to the KKR star pacer for IPL 2026
The Sri Lanka Cricket Board are already under a lot of pressure as the NOC for Matheesha Pathirana has constantly been delayed in recent times. The board has felt that the pacer still needs some more rehabilitation before taking the field.
They have, hence, issued a strict directive that he would take the field only after clearing all the fitness tests, and hence, his date of availability has been pushed back to the dates 15th or 16th of April. KKR has not issued any statement in response to this delay in the NOC.
However, Pathirana has not taken the same measure as Nuwan Thushara, who was denied permission to play in the IPL.
ALSO READ: Matheesha Pathirana's NOC delayed by SLC, KKR's woes heighten in IPL 2026
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