Big blow for defending champions RCB: Key overseas player doubtful for IPL 2026

The Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) is merely just two days away from beginning, but the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has huge tension, as the star overseas pacer is doubtful for the entire season. The latest blow has put the IPL season's outlook in more vague terms, while the tournament has already suffered many key overseas names' exits. 

While the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to provide NOC for the IPL and PSL only for the proven fit players, the 31-year-old right-arm fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has failed to earn NOC. According to media reports, the Sri Lankan cricketer has failed to prove the standard fitness, as the SLC has refused to grant NOC to the pacer. 

Thushara, who served for Sri Lanka last January, isn't dealing with any injuries. However, the right-arm pacer has to pass the standard fitness status, where he reportedly failed. There is no clarification yet on whether the Lankan pacer will miss the entire IPL season or not, as the SLC and RCB both haven't officially announced anything about this matter. While the Lankan pacer is unlikely to be available early in the 19th IPL season, he is in danger of missing the entire tournament.  

See Also: Big blow for Peshawar Zalmi as James Vince withdraws from PSL 2026

IPL overseas players crisis continues

Due to the recent busy international schedules, including the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which India and Sri Lanka hosted between February 7 and March 8, some players are struggling with fitness issues. Majorly, pacers are dealing with injuries, who are always vulnerable, especially during busy schedules.  

Along with Indian pacers like Harshit Rana and Akash Deep, Australian pacer Nathan Ellis, English pace-bowling all-rounder Sam Curran, and Australian pace-bowling all-rounder Jack Edwards have already been ruled out of the upcoming IPL season due to injuries. 

Australian star pacers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are in India but likely to miss some initial matches, while Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc is yet to confirm his availability for the season. In the meantime, we are talking about these injuries and fitness while the tournament is yet to begin, which makes the situation tougher. 

Nuwan Thushara's IPL career

Nuwan Thushara made his IPL debut in the 2024 season, when he served for the Mumbai Indians, who bought him from the auction for INR 4.80 crore. In the next auction, RCB secured him for INR 1.60 crore.  

In eight IPL matches, the Lankan pacer Thushara picked up nine wickets. Serving for the champions RCB in the 2025 edition, he recorded one wicket in one match. He has been retained for the 2026 edition, and he should have to play an important role in the team to defend the title, especially when the Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood is doubtful early in the season. 

Fans react to Nuwan Thushara's absence for IPL 2026

As some overseas players are already out of the season, and some players are in the recovery process, Nuwan Thushara's fitness concern has only brought more bad news for the IPL fans. Some fans also feel that it will only put more pressure on RCB, who will play the tournament opener to defend the title.