Another Sri Lankan Cricketer in Wanindu Hasaranga could be denied the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). According to Rev Sportz, the spin-bowling all-rounder is highly likely to miss IPL 2026 after being contracted by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for ₹2 crore.
Which Sri Lankan cricketer was denied NOC by IPL 2026?
Earlier, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were left bereft of pacer Nuwan Thushara, who reportedly failed to clear the fitness test and not given clearance to partake in the cash-rich tournament. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has recently made it mandatory for the players to pass fitness tests, having introduced physical performance tests. Should the cricketers wish to play overseas T20 leagues, they must pass these performance tests to feature in them. Hence, the decision on Thushara’s IPL participation was reportedly taken following the outcome of the fitness test.
The likes of Dushmantha Chameera, Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis passed the requisite fitness tests and were given the green signal to participate in foreign leagues. As for Hasaranga, the Super Giants may need to name a replacement soon but no official announcement has come out yet.
Matheesha Pathirana on track to joining the Kolkata Knight Riders’ camp
Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been given a much-needed boost as Rev Sportz reported that the right-arm speedster could join the camp on April 6. Pathirana, who started his IPL career with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), was bought by the three-time champions for a massive sum of ₹18 crore. The Knight Riders have already lost Harshit Rana and Akash Deep due to injuries, with the Knight Riders drafting Navdeep Saini and Saurabh Dubey as replacements, respectively.
The Knight Riders will be keenly looking forward to Pathirana’s return. While they have a strong artillery of batters, Kolkata need incisive bowlers to take wickets. The Knight Riders will open their IPL 2026 campaign against the Mumbai Indians on March 29, Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium.
