Matheesha Pathirana and Wanindu Hasaranga are among 15 Sri Lankan players who are still waiting to complete the fitness checks required under central contracts, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed. The update also suggests that six other centrally contracted players have already missed at least one attempt, leaving just 24 of the 45 centrally retained cricketers currently recorded as having passed the mandatory test.
What SLC has confirmed about central-contracted players
SLC’s fitness overhaul has created a clear split between those who have completed the process and those who have not. While the explanations for the untested players differ—covering matters such as injury status and planning/logistics—Hasaranga and Pathirana stand out because their next steps carry immediate importance for upcoming franchise planning.
Why Hasaranga and Pathirana are the key cases
The timelines around Hasaranga and Pathirana are particularly relevant because the pair are expected to feature for Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively in IPL 2026. However, their current fitness-test situations appear to be moving on different tracks.
Wanindu Hasaranga’s status raises doubts
Hasaranga’s position is described as the more concerning. An SLC source stated that “Hasaranga has not as yet requested for an NOC (No Objection Certificate).” The 28-year-old leg-spinner has been dealing with a left hamstring tear sustained during Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup opener against Ireland in February. As of now, there is no clear timetable for when he will complete his SLC-mandated fitness evaluation.
Matheesha Pathirana’s recovery looks more on schedule
Pathirana, too, suffered an injury during the same T20 World Cup campaign—this time a calf strain picked up in the match against Australia. He is understood to have started bowling in the nets as his rehabilitation progresses. Those close to the player are hopeful he can travel to India for the IPL by mid-April. While SLC has not yet published a specific date for his required fitness test, the circumstances suggest it may be staged within the following week.
Fitness testing expands into the domestic National Super League
SLC’s drive to tighten fitness culture has also reached the domestic National Super League, which began on Monday. The testing framework is described as less demanding for this competition than for centrally contracted players, with clear differences in both components and scoring.
- National Super League participants are required to complete a 2km run and a skinfold test.
- For the domestic tournament, players do not score points; they only need to achieve the minimum threshold.
- Centrally contracted players face a more structured assessment: a 20m sprint, a 5-0-5 agility drill, and a Counter Movement Jump (CMJ).
- In the central-contracted format, those three components each carry points from one to five.
- The 2km run and skinfold test also offer potential points, with the overall scoring structure allowing up to seven points each for those two items.
- To pass the central test, a player must reach at least 17 points out of the total available.
Results from the opening phase and the April 19 deadline
With 87 players involved in the National Super League, 23 are reported to have failed to meet the minimum fitness standards. Those players have been given a deadline of April 19 to complete the required fitness clearance. If they do not pass by then, they may still be allowed to continue playing, but they will be denied their match fees. Their future involvement in the tournament is also expected to face additional review.
- Total players in the National Super League: 87
- Players who failed to clear minimum fitness requirements: 23
- Deadline to pass the fitness test: April 19
- If a player does not pass by the deadline: match fees will be withheld
- Future participation: likely to be scrutinised if fitness targets are missed
