Sri Lankan T20 World Cup injured bowler gets NOC for Indian Premier League 2026

While the injuries, fitness issues, and availability doubts have taken centre stage before the beginning of the IPL 2026, there is finally some great news for the tournament. One of the Sri Lankan bowlers, who was injured and ruled out during the recently concluded ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, has received the NOC from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for the IPL. 

A total of three Lankan players were injured during the T20 World Cup 2026. Just a few days ago, SLC CEO Ashley de Silva reportedly clarified that the injured Sri Lankan players have to pass the fitness test to get NOC for the IPL 2026. Matheesha Pathirana has reportedly been denied the NOC due to failing the fitness test.

The 25-year-old right-arm fast bowler Eshan Malinga was ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026 due to a shoulder injury, and Pramod Madushan later replaced him.

Now, Eshan Malinga has reportedly earned the NOC after passing the fitness test, as the right-arm pacer is set to join the SunRisers Hyderabad just ahead of the IPL 2026. 

Eshan Malinga's importance in SRH for IPL 2026

Eshan joined SRH in the 2025 season after he was signed from the auction for INR 1.2 crore. As the skipper Pat Cummins is absent for a significant period of the season, Eshan becomes a more important face in the SRH overseas bowling line-up. 

Making his IPL debut last season, Eshan took 13 wickets in just seven games to impress many cricket fans. The right-arm fast bowler took at least one wicket in every game of that tournament. 

Eshan Malinga's international career

After making his international cricket debut in January 2025, Eshan has played seven ODIs and eight T20Is, where the right-arm pacer took four and eight wickets, respectively. 

Although Eshan was selected for the T20 World Cup 2026, which India and Sri Lanka jointly hosted, he failed to play a game due to an unfortunate injury that forced him to be ruled out just before the beginning of the competition.