Matheesha Pathirana (Photo AFP) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced that its players will be allowed to participate in IPL 2026 only after passing the mandatory physical performance tests. The board has confirmed that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) will be issued strictly on the basis of players meeting the required fitness standards.“Only those who successfully meet the required standards of physical performance tests will be allowed to participate in the ongoing domestic tournament and also granted NOC to participate in IPL 2026.
Watch
IPL 2026 should be an audition for India’s next T20I captain “Accordingly, Dushmantha Chameera, Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis, who have successfully completed their physical performance tests, have been granted NOC to participate in the IPL. Nuwan Thenhara’s eligibility to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the IPL will depend on the outcome of his physical performance test.“Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga and Matheesha Pathirana, who have requested the NOC to participate in IPL 2026, are yet to undergo a physical performance test as they are still undergoing rehabilitation to recover from their injuries. The respective players will undergo the tests after completion of the recovery and rehabilitation programmes,” the SLC said in a statement on Friday.With IPL 2026 starting on March 28, Chameera and Nissanka will now link up with Delhi Capitals while Mendis will join Sunrisers Hyderabad. Pathirana, who is expected to join Kolkata Knight Riders, has been on the sidelines after a hamstring injury ruled him out of Sri Lanka’s campaign midway through the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.Hasaranga (Lucknow Super Giants), Malinga (Sunrisers Hyderabad) and Thenhara (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) have also missed the World Cup at various stages due to hamstring, shoulder and left thumb injuries.“Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wishes to announce that players who have applied to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 will be issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) only after passing the mandatory SLC Physical Performance Test.“Currently the SLC is conducting an eight-week specialized physical training program for all players with national contracts. This initiative aims to improve the physical performance standards of the players in preparation for upcoming international events.“Along with this programme, the players also undergo mandatory physical performance tests, which is a routine process to check the fitness standards of the players,” the SLC added.The board added that these tests are part of the routine process of monitoring and maintaining the players’ fitness at the highest level.
