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Sri Lanka’s legendary fast bowler Chaminda Vaas has criticised Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for denying pacer Nuwan Thushara the No Objection Certificate (NOC) to join Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Vaas alleged that SLC did not pay heed to fitness standards for last four years. He feels that denying Thushara to go to the IPL is a result of poor planning rather than taking a disciplinary action.
“SLC ignored fitness standards over the past four years,” he wrote on X. “Fitness in modern cricket is crucial. But you can’t ignore it for years and then suddenly enforce strict standards just before the IPL. A player missing out now feels more like poor planning than discipline.”
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As per a report by ESPNCricinfo, Thushara failed the fitness test. SLC chief executive, Ashley de Silva said that he couldn't achieve the score of 17 out of 29 points needed in the board's fitness test.
Thushara is yet to be officially ruled out of the IPL 2026. He is set to miss a few games, starting with the defending champions' clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on March 28. RCB's next game is against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at home on April 5. Thushara may get the NOC if he clears the fitness test. However, if he fails again, he may not get another chance to prove his fitness for IPL 2026.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's star players Matheesha Pathirana and Wanindu Hasaranga are yet to join their respective franchises as well. KKR's Rs 18 crore recruit Pathirana and LSG's Rs 2 crore recruit Hasaranga are yet to appear for a fitness test.
Chaminda Vaas is an IPL champion
Vaas had played for now-defunct Deccan Chargers in the first three seasons. From 13 games, the 52-year-old has 18 wickets at an average of 19.72. While he was part of Chargers' IPL 2009-winning squad, he played just two games in the season.
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