Sri Lanka Cricket Drops Social Media Rule for Lanka Premier League After Backlash Sri Lanka Cricket has removed the controversial social media follower requirement for Icon and Star category players in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) following widespread criticism from the cricket community. The decision, announced in the revised player registration and draft guide for LPL Season 6, eliminates the previous mandate that players in these categories must have at least 250,000 followers on social media platforms. The change, effective from May 9, 2026, marks a significant shift in the tournament’s eligibility criteria, which had previously prioritized online presence over on-field performance. The rule was initially introduced to align with the LPL’s growing reliance on digital promotion, with players expected to engage fans through social media campaigns, promotional appearances, and content creation. However, the requirement sparked backlash from players, coaches, and fans, who argued that it created an unfair advantage for those with existing online followings. Critics highlighted the contradiction between Sri Lanka Cricket’s earlier advice to national players to minimize social media use and focus on their cricketing careers, and the LPL’s emphasis on online visibility. The revised regulations, published on May 9, 2026, retain core eligibility criteria such as T20 international appearances, franchise experience, and recent match activity. However, they no longer include the 250,000-follower threshold, which had been a point of contention. The updated document also removes all references to minimum social media follower counts across player categories, signaling a broader effort to depoliticize the selection process.#sri_lanka_cric #sri_lanka_cricket #lanka_preminier_league #lpl_season_6 #franchise_experience
Sri Lanka Fast Bowler Withdraws Legal Battle Over IPL NOC Dispute Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has withdrawn his legal challenge against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) over the board’s refusal to grant him a no-objection certificate (NOC) for participating in the Indian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
IPL 2026 Controversy: Sri Lankan Fast Bowler Nuwan Thushara Withdraws Court Case, Apologizes to Cricket Board Nuwan Thushara, a prominent Sri Lankan fast bowler, has taken a significant step back from his earlier legal challenge against the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board. Initially, the cricketer had approached a court to contest the rejection of his No Objection Certificate (NOC) for participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. However, he has since apologized to the board and expressed willingness to withdraw his case, marking a notable U-turn in the ongoing dispute. The controversy began when Thushara sought an NOC from SLC to join IPL 2026, but his application was denied. The board cited his failure to clear the fitness test as the primary reason for the rejection. Thushara contested this decision, arguing that the fitness test standards were not applied consistently and that he had previously cleared similar tests for IPL 2024 and 2025. He had also filed a petition in court, requesting the judiciary to direct SLC to issue the NOC so he could participate in the tournament. During the court proceedings, SLC defended its decision, asserting that Thushara’s fitness test results did not meet the required criteria. The court scheduled a hearing for April 23, 2026, to address the matter further. However, Thushara’s recent apology and indication of withdrawing the case have shifted the narrative. In his email to the board, he clarified that his intent was never to cause inconvenience but to seek justice and fairness in the process. He emphasized his desire for impartiality and transparency in the evaluation of his fitness. Thushara’s career with the IPL has been marked by consistent performance.#indian_premier_league #sri_lanka_cricket #royal_challengers_bangalore #mumbai_indians #nuwan_thushara
Sri Lankan Cricketers Hasaranga and Pathirana Face Fitness Test Delays Ahead of IPL 2026 Matheesha Pathirana and Wanindu Hasaranga, two key Sri Lankan cricketers under central contracts, have yet to complete their mandatory fitness tests mandated by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), according to a recent confirmation from the board. This development places them among 15 players in the central contract category who have not undergone the required evaluations. Additionally, six other 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 reasons for the delays vary, with some players citing injuries and others facing logistical challenges. For Hasaranga and Pathirana, their timelines are particularly critical as both are set to represent the Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Hasaranga’s situation appears more precarious, with sources close to the player indicating that it is unlikely he will be available for competition "anytime soon." A representative from SLC noted that Hasaranga has not yet requested an NOC (No Objection Certificate), which is necessary for his participation in the IPL. The legspinner has been sidelined since sustaining a left hamstring tear during Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup opener against Ireland in February. As of now, there is no clear timeline for his fitness evaluation, raising concerns about his readiness for the upcoming tournament. Pathirana, who suffered a calf strain during the T20 World Cup match against Australia, has reportedly begun bowling in the nets as part of his recovery process.#ipl_2026 #sri_lanka_cricket #matheesha_pathirana #wanindu_hasaranga #sri_lanka_cricketers
KKR Hopes to Welcome Matheesha Pathirana by April 6 Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana is anticipated to rejoin the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad by April 6, according to reports from RevSportz. The 29-year-old pacer, who signed with KKR for IPL 2026 for a record fee of Rs 18 crore, is currently in the final stages of recovery from a calf injury sustained during the T20 World Cup. He has been undergoing intensive rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Sri Lanka and is set to undergo his fitness assessments in the coming week. Pathirana’s return to the team hinges on passing these evaluations, which are mandated by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for all players bound to franchise teams. The governing body requires athletes to meet specific fitness benchmarks before being granted a No-Objection Certificate (NOC), which allows them to participate in international leagues like the IPL. Previous cases, such as RCB’s Nuwan Thushara failing his assessment, highlight the strictness of this process. In contrast, players like Dushmantha Chameera, Pathum Nissanka, and Kamindu Mendis cleared their tests and have already joined their respective franchises. Despite regular net bowling sessions during his recovery, Pathirana has adopted a cautious approach to ensure his long-term fitness. This is partly due to his history of injuries, which has raised concerns about his ability to handle the demands of a grueling T20 season followed by international commitments. KKR has been closely monitoring his progress and expressed optimism about his potential return by April 6. However, the team remains dependent on the outcome of his fitness tests, which will determine whether he can contribute to their IPL 2026 campaign.#ipl_2026 #kolkata_knight_riders #sri_lanka_cricket #matheesha_pathirana #national_cricket_academy
Gary Kirsten Appointed Sri Lanka Head Coach for Two-Year Term Gary Kirsten, the former India World Cup-winning coach, has been appointed as the head coach of the Sri Lanka men’s cricket team on a two-year contract starting April 15. The decision was announced by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) as part of its efforts to revamp the National High Performance Center and strengthen the national team ahead of major global tournaments. Kirsten’s tenure will focus on preparing Sri Lanka for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which is set to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Kirsten, a former South Africa opener and now a seasoned coach, will remain in the role until April 14, 2028. His coaching career includes guiding India to the 2011 World Cup title during his tenure from 2008 to 2011. After India, he served as head coach of South Africa from 2011 to 2013, during which the Proteas reached the top of the world rankings across all three formats of the game. Most recently, he worked as a consultant for Cricket Namibia during the T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka’s international performance in recent years has been inconsistent, with the team undergoing several rebuilds following the retirement of key players. As co-hosts of the T20 World Cup, they failed to advance beyond the semifinals. Kirsten’s appointment aims to address these challenges and position Sri Lanka as a competitive force in the 2027 tournament. The 58-year-old coach’s responsibilities will include overseeing the Sri Lanka National Men’s Team’s preparation and campaign for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027. His playing career, spanning from 1993 to 2004, saw him become one of South Africa’s leading batters, amassing 14,087 runs across Tests and One-Day Internationals, including 21 centuries in Tests and 13 in ODIs.#south_africa #t20_world_cup #gary_kirsten #sri_lanka_cricket #icc_men_s_cricket_world_cup_2027
