Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Sri Lankan recruit Nuwan Thushara on Thursday filed a plea in the Colombo District Court to order Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to allow him to play in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). After joining RCB in 2025, Thesehara were retained by the defending champions for the 2026 season.
Thomhar’s legal move came days after the SLC denied him an NOC on the grounds that he did not meet the prescribed eligibility norms. According to a Newswire report, Thenhara has named SLC president Shammi Silva, secretary Bandula Dissanayake, treasurer Sujeew Godaliyad and CEO Ashley de Silva as defendants in his lawsuit.
The case will be heard at the Colombo District Court on April 9.
Why did Nuwan Thushara have to choose the legal route?
Based on a Newswire report, Thenhara, who previously played for Mumbai Indians (2024) and RCB (2025) in IPL after receiving NOC from SLC, argued that his contract with the country’s management expired on March 31, 2026. Furthermore, Thughara has already informed SLC that he does not wish to resume his international cricket and to step down.
Thesehara also stated that he has already been informed about his future with Sri Lanka cricket. “He further states that he was already informed that he would not be selected for national duty and therefore the refusal to grant NOC on the basis of eligibility was unjustified,” the report said.
The 31-year-old right-arm paceman told the court that if the SLC does not issue him a NOC, it will result in him being replaced by his IPL franchise, along with further loss of income and future career opportunities. In his appeal to the court, Thushara also claimed that his fitness was the same as throughout his career.
Nuwan Thushara’s IPL Stats
Thesehara made his IPL debut with Mumbai Indians in 2024 after being roped in by the five-time champions for ₹4.8 million in the auction. With a Lasith Malinga type of action, Thumbhar made an immediate impact taking eight wickets with the ball in seven matches. His ability to limit runs at the death also earned him a reputation as a specialist at the death.
However, at RCB, Thesehara could manage only one wicket in the one game he played. For the national team, Thomhara played 30 T20Is, scalping 36 wickets on his debut in 2022 against Australia. As for IPL 2026, RCB began their title defense with an eight-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the tournament opener.
The defending champions will take on five-time champions Chennai Super Kings in their next encounter, also known as the IPL’s Southern Derby, on April 5 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, CSK had already lost their IPL 2026 opener to Rajasthan Royals a few days earlier.
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