Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Tushara has approached a court seeking intervention to allow him to play in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 after Sri Lanka Cricket refused to issue a No Objection Certificate citing failure in a fitness test.
Nuwan Tushara filed a case in the Colombo District Court requesting an order directing Sri Lanka Cricket to issue him a No Objection Certificate. The board had declined to grant the NOC after he failed a fitness test. The matter is scheduled for hearing on 9 April 2026.
Tushara has requested an urgent decision from the court so that he can join his team in time and participate in the competition. The 31-year-old fast bowler was signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for INR 1.6 crore for the current IPL season.
Tushara stated that his contract with Sri Lanka Cricket ended on 31 March 2026 and that he decided not to extend it. He also informed the board that he was considering retirement from international cricket. He said that refusing the NOC on the basis of the fitness test was unfair under these circumstances.
Tushara said, “My fitness level has always been high. Previously as well, I was allowed to play by Sri Lanka Cricket at the same fitness level. The decision to deny the NOC is not justified.”
Since 2022, Tushara has played 30 T20 Internationals for Sri Lanka. In the IPL, he played one match for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the previous season. Overall, he has taken 174 wickets in 137 T20 matches at an average of 21.25. He has requested the court to allow him to participate in the IPL this season.
Sri Lanka Cricket has made fitness tests mandatory for national team selection. Tushara stated that he has not shown any lack of fitness and had previously been permitted to play at the same fitness level. He has requested the court to set aside the board’s decision and allow him to play in the IPL.
