Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has increased the tension of many teams before IPL 2026 as they have currently approved only Ishan Malinga to participate in the Indian league. Many Sri Lankan players are awaiting clearance, creating suspense for their teams ahead of the tournament.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are still waiting for their signatures to arrive as IPL 2026 is just a few days away. The tournament will begin on March 28 between RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Bengaluru.
Only Ishan Malinga has received NOC from Sri Lanka Cricket for IPL 2026.
As per Cricbuzz report, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has so far given permission to only Ishan Malinga to join Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), while three other big players – Nuwan Thushara, Wanindu Hasaranga and Mathisha Pathirana – are still waiting for the green signal to join IPL 2026.
Also Read: Pat Cummins joins SRH ahead of IPL 2026, but Ishan Kishan to remain captain
Malinga will reach Hyderabad on March 24 to join the SRH team. The 25-year-old fast bowler will travel to India along with Kamindu Mendis, who has already received NOC from SLC to play in the league. The left-handed batsman was retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad for this season.
Wanindu Hasaranga and Mathisha Pathirana face delays
However, Wanindu Hasaranga and Mathisha Pathirana are yet to get the green signal from SLC. The report claims that the LSG spinner and KKR fast bowler could not attend his fitness test on Monday, March 23 and that is why his arrival in India is being delayed.
Pathirana is already expected to miss a part of the upcoming 2026 season as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury and the Kolkata team is ready to wait for him.
Nuwan Thushara’s participation is still not confirmed
Surprisingly, LSG has no update on Hasaranga from the Sri Lankan board yet. RCB fast bowler Nuwan Thushara is also stuck in uncertainty as there is no update on his NOC status till Monday. Now, Thushara’s participation in IPL 2026 completely depends on his fitness results.
The SLC had recently said: “Nuwan Thushara’s eligibility for No Objection Certificate to participate in the IPL will be subject to the outcome of his physical performance test.”
However, other Sri Lankan stars like Dushmantha Chameera, Pathum Nissanka and Dasun Shanaka have already been cleared by the SLC to play in IPL 2026.
Also read: BCCI imposed new strict rules for IPL 2026, teams banned…
Both Chameera and Nissanka are part of Delhi Capitals, while Shanaka will be seen in action for Rajasthan Royals this season.
IPL is facing biggest economic recession in 20 years
Meanwhile, before the new season, BCCI and IPL have suffered a big blow. After nearly 20 years of steady growth, the IPL money machine is finally slowing down.
A report by Media Partners Asia claims that the next media-rights cycle (2028-32) is expected to be similar to the current cycle at $5.4 billion. But the real blow is the decline in value per game this cycle.
With the expansion of the league to 94 matches, earnings per match are expected to decline from $13.2 million to $11.5 million. The report states that the reason for this defeat is extra matches.