Sri Lanka star Nuwan Thushara seeks court order for NOC to play for RCB in IPL 2026

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) planned a lot around the right-arm pacer, Nuwan Thushara, for their death bowling heading into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, but the Sri Lankan pacer is yet to arrive in India. He didn’t feature in their opening clash of the league against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Meanwhile, Nuwan Thushara has asked for help in the legal route regarding the denial of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to be part of the RCB side in the IPL 2026. He clarified the issue wasn’t there before the beginning, with the board making a decision to give the NOC after the fitness tests.

Nuwan Thushara takes legal action against SLC for NOC

Thushara missed out on the entire T20 World Cup 2026 due to an injury before the beginning of the international competition. With more than a month between the beginning of the T20 WC and the IPL, the player has rehabilitated and is back on the field. The case was taken before the Colombo District Court and was fixed for hearing on April 09.

In this situation, he has named Sri Lanka Crickey President, Shammi Silva, Secretary Bandula Dissanayake, Treasurer, Sujeewa Godaliyadda, and CEO, Ashley de Silva, as the defendants. He states that he was selected by the franchise for the IPL 2026, having previously played in the event in 2024 and 2025 after receiving the NOCs from the SLC.

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The board has now refused to issue the NOC for the 2026 season, citing the failure to meet the prescribed fitness as per the court filing. The bowler argues that his contract with SLC was due to lapse on March 31, 2026, and he had informed the board of his intention not to renew the contract and to step away from international cricket.

He also claims that his current fitness standards were consistent with those maintained throughout his career and that similar fitness levels had not prevented SLC from issuing NOCs to him in past years. The next hearing of the case will be on April 09.

Thushara’s performance for RCB in IPL 2025

Thushara has picked up 174 wickets in 137 innings of the shortest format at an average of 21.25 and a strike rate of 15.40 with an economy rate of 8.25, thanks to five four-wicket hauls and a couple of five-wicket hauls.

In 2025, the right-arm pacer picked up one wicket in his only appearance. In 2024, however, he bagged eight wickets in seven clashes at an economy rate of 9.88, thanks to the best figures of 3/28 in an innings.

Fans’ reaction to Thushara appearing in court for NOC

Here is how the fans have reacted to Thushara appearing to follow the legal way for getting NOC before the IPL 2026-