Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara’s absence from the Indian Premier League due to Sri Lanka Cricket’s new fitness policy has sparked criticism, with legendary fast bowler Chaminda Vaas questioning the timing of the decision.
Chaminda Vaas said Sri Lanka Cricket had largely ignored fitness standards in international cricket over the past four years, and suddenly enforcing strict benchmarks just before the IPL raised concerns over planning and consistency.
“Fitness is extremely important when it comes to cricket, there is no doubt about that. But you can’t ignore it for years and then suddenly enforce strict standards just before the IPL. A player missing out now feels more like poor planning than discipline,” Vaas said.
Thushara is set to miss the IPL after Sri Lanka Cricket refused to grant a No Objection Certificate (NOC) following the introduction of a strict new fitness policy.
Sri Lanka Cricket recently made it mandatory for players to pass newly introduced physical performance tests before being granted clearance to participate in franchise leagues such as the IPL and PSL. Thushara’s eligibility for the IPL was made subject to the outcome of this fitness test, with SLC confirming clearance would only be granted if he met the required standards.
However, Thushara reportedly failed to obtain the necessary fitness points, resulting in Sri Lanka Cricket refusing to issue the NOC — a move that could see him lose his Royal Challengers Bengaluru contract worth approximately INR 1.6 crore.
The development comes as a major blow for the Sri Lankan fast bowler, who was one of the main seamers during the 2025 Asia Cup but later lost his place for the T20 World Cup.
Despite several fast bowlers being ruled out due to injuries, Thushara was not considered for selection, raising further concerns about his standing within the national setup.
Sources indicated that while Thushara is not currently injured and is capable of bowling in matches, concerns remain over his overall fitness levels, prompting selectors to take a firm stance.
Sri Lanka Cricket has taken a strict approach this time, issuing NOCs only to players who successfully passed the new fitness benchmarks. (Newswire)