Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has withdrawn his legal petition filed in the Colombo District Court against Sri Lanka Cricket. The 31-year-old cricketer had earlier sought an interim injunction directing Sri Lanka Cricket to issue a No Objection Certificate for him to participate in the ongoing IPL 2026 season.
Royal Challengers Bangalore signed Nuwan Thushara for Rs 1.60 crore in the 2025 mega auction. Josh Hazlewood was unavailable during the early part of the season. New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy replaced Hazlewood in the playing eleven and put in an impressive performance for the defending champions.
Nuwan Thushara ends legal battle over IPL NOC
Presidential counsel GG Arulpragasam represented Nuwan Thushara during the hearing at the Colombo District Court on Wednesday, the newswire reported. He told the judge that several IPL matches had already been completed, forcing the fast bowler to withdraw his legal request.
Arulpragasam informed that it is no longer necessary to continue with the matter as Thushara no longer wishes to pursue the application for No Objection Certificate. The court allowed Thushara to withdraw the case. After this, the Colombo District Court rejected the petition related to NOC.
According to the newswire report, “When the matter was taken up on Wednesday, the petitioner’s counsel told the court that several IPL matches had already been concluded and the petitioner no longer wished to proceed with the application. After arguments, the court allowed the case to be withdrawn and later dismissed the petition.”
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Sri Lanka Cricket refused to grant No Objection Certificate to Nuwan Thushara saying that he did not meet the required fitness standards. Thushara, in his legal petition, argued that his fitness levels had remained consistent throughout his career and he had not faced such restrictions in previous tournaments.
The board maintained a strict stance on the fitness of the players after the 2026 T20 World Cup. Officials focused on monitoring workloads and preventing injuries, especially to fast bowlers. Many players withdrew from participating in foreign leagues, including the IPL, despite prior contracts.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)’s Mathisha Pathirana and spinner Wanindu Hasaranga could not travel for the IPL. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad players Ishan Malinga and Kamindu Mendis were cleared and joined the franchise for the season.
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