Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced that its players will be eligible to participate in IPL 2026 only after successfully completing the mandatory fitness test. The board confirmed that no-objection certificates (NOCs) will be issued strictly to players who meet the required fitness standards.
“Only those who successfully meet the fitness test requirements will be allowed to participate in the ongoing domestic competitions and get NOCs for IPL 2026.
“Consequently, Dushmantha Chameera, Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis, who successfully completed the fitness test, have been issued NOC to play in the IPL. Nuwan Suchhara’s eligibility to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play in the IPL will depend on the results of his fitness test.
“Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga and Matheesha Pathirana, who have requested the National Olympic Committee for IPL 2026, are yet to undergo fitness tests as they are still undergoing rehabilitation to recover from injuries. The respective players will be tested after completing their rehabilitation and rehabilitation programme,” SLC said in a statement on Friday.
As the IPL 2026 is set to kick off on March 28, Chameera and Nissanka will join forces with Delhi Capitals, while Mendis will join forces with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Patialana, who will feature for Kolkata Knight Riders, has been on the sidelines after missing Sri Lanka due to a hamstring injury midway through the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.
Hasaranga (Lucknow Supergiants), Malinga (Sunrisers Hyderabad) and Tushara (Royal Challengers Bangalore) have also missed various stages of the World Cup with fractures in their hamstring, shoulder and left thumb.
“Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) would like to announce that players applying for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 will be issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) only after successfully passing the SLC’s mandatory fitness test.
“Currently, SLC is conducting an eight-week dedicated physical training program for all nationally contracted players. This initiative is designed to improve the players’ physical fitness levels and prepare them for upcoming international competitions.
SLC added: “In addition to this programme, players will undergo mandatory fitness tests as a routine procedure to check players’ fitness standards.”
The board added that the tests are part of a regular process designed to monitor and maintain players’ fitness at the highest level.