Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Nuwan Thushara was denied the No Objection Certificate (NOC) after failing his fitness test.

According to a report in Cricinfo, RCB will be without Thushara at least for the IPL 2026 opening game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The report further added that the fast bowler might also miss RCB’s second game, also in Bengaluru, against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Thushara, who was picked for Rs 1.6 crore, will need to pass the fitness test that will happen.

Apart from Thushara, RCB is also likely to take the field for its opening fixture without Australia’s Josh Hazlewood, who landed in Bengaluru on Thursday and is nursing an injury himself.

Published on Mar 27, 2026