Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara, who was supposed to play for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026, will miss the entire season, after Sri Lanka Cricket, refused to give him a No Objection Certificate after the implementation of a new fitness policy.

It is a big setback for RCB, who will miss his services in the upcoming season. According to reports, the Sri Lankan board only permits players to compete in overseas leagues if they meet the physical benchmarks introduced to improve the fitness standards among the national cricketers.

Thushara is not injured and can bowl, but it seems his fitness standards are not up to the mark. His NOC to play in IPL 2026 has been withheld, ruling him out of the tournament.

SLC has made it mandatory for the players to clear the fitness tests before featuring in the overseas competitions.

Thushara didn’t achieve the required benchmarks, which ended his hopes of representing the defending champions in the cash-rich league.

According to Newswire Sri Lanka, the contract of the fast bowler will be terminated, costing him around 1.6 crore.

He was Sri Lanka’s main bowler in the Asia Cup and bowled well in the Continental Cup. However, he fell out of favour before the T20 World Cup 2026, and the selectors didn’t recall him despite injuries to the main bowlers.

Meanwhile, several other Sri Lankan players have met the fitness criteria, securing NOCs for IPL 2026.

Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, and Dasun Shanaka have been cleared to join their franchises in the Indian Premier League.

RCB will be without Josh Hazlewood for a few matches as he is still not fit due to an injury, while Yash Dayal has been left out of the team, considering his legal cases.

Bengaluru will start its IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28.

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