Sri Lanka Fast Bowler Withdraws Legal Battle Over IPL NOC Dispute Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has withdrawn his legal challenge against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) over the board’s refusal to grant him a no-objection certificate (NOC) for participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The decision marks the end of a prolonged dispute that had kept the player sidelined from the tournament, though it remains unclear whether he will join Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the franchise that signed him for ₹1.60 crore. RCB has yet to name a replacement for Thushara in the second half of the IPL 2026 season. Thushara informed the Colombo District Court that he no longer wished to pursue the case, citing the advanced stage of the tournament as a key factor in his decision. The legal battle began when SLC denied him an NOC, a mandatory clearance required for Sri Lankan players to compete in overseas leagues. The board cited fitness concerns as the reason for the denial, asserting that Thushara did not meet its updated standards. Thushara contested this claim, arguing that his fitness levels were comparable to previous seasons when he had been cleared to play abroad. The controversy escalated when Thushara expressed frustration over what he perceived as inconsistent enforcement of SLC’s policies. In a petition, he even hinted at retiring from international cricket, though it is uncertain whether this stance persists after withdrawing the case. Under International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, players must obtain an NOC from their home board to participate in overseas leagues, but the criteria for granting such clearances are determined by individual boards.#indian_premier_league #royal_challengers_bengaluru #sri_lanka_cricket #nuwan_thushara #colombo_district_court
