IPL 2026 - Sri Lankan Players Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana Yet to Clear Mandatory Fitness Tests Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed that 15 players under central contracts have not yet completed the SLC-mandated fitness tests required to obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for participation in IPL 2026. Six additional players are believed to have failed at least one attempt, leaving only 24 of the 45 centrally-contracted players to have passed the tests. The fitness requirements are part of SLC’s broader initiative to overhaul its approach to player fitness, which has also been applied to the domestic National Super League (NSL) tournament. Among the players yet to take the tests, Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana stand out due to their proximity to the IPL 2026 season. Hasaranga, the legspinner, has been sidelined since sustaining a left hamstring injury during Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup opener against Ireland in February. Sources close to the player indicate that he is unlikely to be available for any matches soon, and SLC officials noted that Hasaranga has not yet requested an NOC. The delay in his fitness evaluation has raised concerns about his readiness for the IPL, which begins in April. Pathirana, who strained his calf during the T20 World Cup match against Australia, has reportedly begun bowling in the nets as part of his recovery. While no official date has been set for his fitness test, sources suggest it is likely to occur in the coming week. Pathirana is expected to join Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026, with hopes that he will be fit in time for the tournament. However, his timeline remains uncertain, and the SLC’s strict fitness criteria could impact his availability.#ipl_2026 #sri_lanka_cric #matheesha_pathirana #wanindu_hasaranga #nslnational_super_league
