Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Thushara, on April 2 (Thursday), sought court intervention to play in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) season after the country’s cricket board refused to grant him a no-objection certificate (NOC) after he failed a fitness test.

31-year-old Nuwan Thushara, who was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL, has filed a case in the Colombo District Court seeking an order for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to issue him a NOC. The case will be heard on April 9.

Thushara has played 30 T20 Internationals for his country since 2022. Thushara told the court that his contract with the board expires on March 31, 2026 and highlighted that if he doesn’t receive an NOC, the IPL team could replace him. This would impact both his career and earnings.

Thushara stated that he had informed the SLC of his desire to end his international career. He argued that in such circumstances, the court should overturn the decision to deny him an NOC due to failing the fitness test. The SLC has made fitness tests mandatory for selection to the national team.

Thushara stated that his fitness levels were never found to be low and that he had previously been allowed to play at similar fitness levels by SLC. Thushara was acquired by RCB in 2025 for ₹1.6 crore. He played one match for the team last season. The fast bowler has so far taken 174 wickets in 137 T20 matches at an average of 21.25.

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