Denied NOC by SLC, RCB's Nuwan Thushara asks court to intervene to play IPL 2026: Report

Sri Lanka pacer Nuwan Thushara on April 2 has taken legal action against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) over denial of No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. As per local media reports, The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer filed a case in the Colombo District Court against the cricket board. He is seeking an order directed at SLC to grant him NOC.

SLC has denied Thushara NOC after he reportedly failed the fitness test. He is among few Sri Lankan players who are yet to get the NOC from the board. The hearing of the case has been fixed on April 9. The RCB pacer has pleaded that his contract with SLC expired on March 31 and he does not intend to ask for an extension. In addition, he wishes to retire from international cricket, eventually becoming a T20 freelancer.

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Thushara is not convinced with SLC's current assessment of his fitness. He claims that the SLC allowed him to play with similar fitness levels previously as well.

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Thushara was roped in for Rs 1.6 crore by RCB in IPL 2025 mega auction and was retained after they won the title. He played just one game for RCB, conceding 26 runs from quota of four overs in a game where LSG posted 227/3. 

It is yet to be seen whether the court directs SLC to give Thushara the nod to play in IPL 2026. But, he is set to miss a few more games.

RCB start with a comprehensive win

Defending Champions RCB opened their campaign with a comprehensive six-wicket victory at home. They were without the services of star pacer Josh Hazlewood who is yet to regain match fitness. In Hazlewood’s absence, New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy made his IPL debut, bagging three wickets for 22 runs and winning the ‘Player of the match’ award.

RCB 's next game is at home as well. On April 5, RCB will go up against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led CSK were humbled in their opening encounter by Rajasthan Royals (RR) as they missed the services of Dewald Brevis and MS Dhoni.