Nuwan Thushara Withdraws Lawsuit Against Sri Lanka Cricket Over IPL 2026 Clearance

Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has officially withdrawn his legal petition against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), ending a public dispute regarding his participation in the 2026 Indian Premier League. The Colombo District Court dismissed the case after Thushara’s legal representatives indicated the player’s desire to terminate the proceedings and reconcile with the national board.

NOC Denial and Fitness Standards

The conflict began when SLC refused to issue Thushara a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the IPL. The board cited his failure to meet mandatory fitness criteria, specifically missing the target time in the 2-kilometer run test. In response, Thushara filed a petition in the Colombo District Court, arguing the decision unfairly restricted his professional opportunities.

Thushara, who debuted for the national team in 2022 and has appeared in approximately 30 T20 Internationals, was scheduled to join Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the IPL 2026 season. The lack of an NOC prevented him from fulfilling his franchise contract.

Reasons for Withdrawal

During the latest court hearing, Thushara’s counsel requested the withdrawal of the petition based on the following factors:

• Season progression: With a significant portion of the IPL 2026 schedule already concluded, securing an NOC held no practical value.
• Reconciliation: Thushara formally apologized to SLC, indicating a desire to repair tensions and move past the dispute.

IPL Contract History and Performance

Thushara first entered the IPL with the Mumbai Indians in 2024, commanding a price of ₹4.80 crore and taking eight wickets in his debut season. He was subsequently acquired by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2025 mega auction for ₹1.60 crore. During the 2025 season, he played one match, recording figures of 1/26, and was retained by the franchise for the 2026 campaign.

For official match records and historical player statistics, visit ESPN Cricinfo.