Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has withdrawn his lawsuit against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), ending a legal dispute that began after the board refused to issue him a no-objection certificate (NOC) to feature in the IPL 2026. The 31-year-old is currently listed as part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), though the franchise is yet to announce a replacement.
Why Thushara went to court — and why he left it
Thushara informed the Colombo District Court that he wanted to discontinue the case, noting that a significant portion of the IPL had already been completed. It is understood that he also sent a written apology to SLC last week, signaling his readiness to move on from the dispute.
- Thushara sought to withdraw the case because much of the IPL was already over.
- He sent a written apology to SLC last week as part of the withdrawal process.
What the original petition claimed
When Thushara first approached the court, he said he wanted to retire from international cricket. At this stage, it remains unclear whether that intention has changed or whether he still holds the same plan.
Even if his international retirement plans remain unchanged, SLC’s updated fitness regulations would still affect any selection considerations. Under the board’s new fitness protocols, Thushara would not be eligible for selection until he satisfies the minimum requirements.
- In his initial petition, Thushara stated his desire to retire from international cricket.
- Under SLC’s new fitness protocols, he would need to meet the minimum fitness criteria before being eligible for selection.
Fitness standards, NOC denial, and Thushara’s argument
Thushara’s NOC was withheld because he was not considered to have met SLC’s required fitness standards. He argued that fitness restrictions had not acted as a barrier in earlier years, claiming his physical readiness had stayed “more or less the same” as it is now.
It was during this standoff that Thushara indicated he was leaning toward retirement, and he followed that decision by filing the lawsuit. In court, he contended that imposing a fitness-based NOC was unreasonable and created an obstacle to his livelihood.
- SLC denied Thushara an NOC citing failure to reach required fitness standards.
- Thushara argued the fitness bar had not prevented him in previous years and claimed his fitness level was largely unchanged.
- He claimed fitness-based NOC enforcement was unfair and hindered his ability to earn a living.
Court timeline and IPL 2026 status
The case drew attention due to its timing. The date of filing was April 2, which coincided with the Easter court holiday, making a rapid resolution unlikely. The matter was heard again on April 9, when SLC indicated it wanted to submit objections. The case was then taken up once more on April 23, when it was dismissed.
Thushara has played 30 international matches, all of them T20 Internationals. In IPL, he appeared for Mumbai Indians in 2024 before moving to RCB in 2025. With the NOC dispute now effectively concluded through the withdrawal, RCB still has not named a replacement for Thushara ahead of IPL 2026.
- April 2: Thushara filed the case, a day that fell during the Easter court holiday.
- April 9: The case was heard again; SLC signaled its intention to file objections.
- April 23: The case was taken up and dismissed.
