Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has pulled back his legal action against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), ending a dispute that began after the board refused to issue him a no-objection certificate (NOC) to take part in the IPL 2026. Thushara, who represents Royal Challengers Bengaluru, is still awaiting any official confirmation from the franchise on whether a replacement will be brought in for the 31-year-old.
Key takeaways
- Thushara has withdrawn his lawsuit against Sri Lanka Cricket shortly after filing it over IPL 2026 eligibility.
- SLC had denied his NOC because he had not met the board’s required fitness standards.
- Thushara told the Colombo District Court he wanted to withdraw since much of the IPL schedule was already finished.
- In his initial petition, he had expressed an intention to retire from international cricket.
- Thushara’s case went through multiple court listings, with the matter dismissed on April 23 after earlier hearings.
- He played for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 before joining RCB for the 2025 season.
Withdrawal follows court filings and court timelines
Thushara informed the Colombo District Court that he no longer wished to pursue the matter, noting that a large portion of the IPL had already been completed. The development arrives only weeks after he approached the court following SLC’s refusal to grant the NOC needed for him to play in IPL 2026.
ESPNcricinfo understands that Thushara also sent SLC a written apology last week, signalling that he was ready to withdraw the case. His decision effectively brings an end to the legal challenge that had been tied directly to his availability for the IPL 2026.
What Thushara argued, and what SLC’s fitness rules mean for selection
When Thushara first filed the petition, he stated a desire to retire from international cricket. At this stage, it remains unclear whether his thinking has changed, or whether he continues to hold the same position. Regardless, SLC’s updated fitness framework is expected to apply to him for any return to selection, meaning he would not be considered until he satisfies the minimum requirements set by the board.
SLC’s refusal to provide the NOC was rooted in the claim that Thushara had not achieved the fitness threshold required by the board. Thushara’s position was that such fitness standards had not prevented him in earlier seasons, arguing that his physical readiness had remained largely consistent compared to the present.
The legal dispute unfolded at a time when Thushara had already indicated he was leaning towards retirement from international cricket. He moved to the court soon after signalling that decision, arguing that the introduction and enforcement of a fitness-based NOC was unreasonable and would act as a barrier to his professional income.
Court dates, Easter holiday context, and dismissal
The timing of the initial move—April 2—stood out because it fell around the Easter court holiday, which meant a quick resolution was unlikely. The case was reviewed again on April 9, when SLC indicated it wanted to file objections. It was then taken up once more on April 23, the day on which the case was dismissed.
IPL journey: from Mumbai Indians to RCB
Thushara has played 30 international matches, all of them T20Is. In the IPL, he appeared for Mumbai Indians during IPL 2024 before switching to Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the 2025 season. For IPL 2026, Bengaluru have yet to announce who will replace him, if a replacement is required following the NOC-related uncertainty.
